Hawaii emergency official to retire by end of 2018

HONOLULU – The executive officer of Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency is planning to retire by year’s end.

Toby Clairmont told The Associated Press Monday his decision has nothing to do with the recent alert that mistakenly warned the public of a missile headed to Hawaii. He says he decided on retirement two years ago and no one asked him to step down.

Clairmont says he posted his career plans on Facebook but wasn’t prepared to publicly announce his retirement.

Clairmont, a registered nurse, says he was at home when a state worker mistakenly sent the alert.

Gov. David Ige’s spokeswoman Cindy McMillan says the governor didn’t ask for Clairmont’s retirement.

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency spokesman Richard Rapoza says the agency did not ask Clairmont to retire.