Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Tulsi GabbardRepublicans call on DOJ to investigate Netflix over 'Cuties' film Hispanic Caucus campaign arm endorses slate of non-Hispanic candidates Gabbard says she 'was not invited to participate in any way' in Democratic convention MORE (D-Hawaii) on Sunday called a mistaken alert sent to Hawaii residents about an inbound missile “unacceptable,” adding that it highlights the reality those on the island face amid tensions with North Korea.

“The fact that these processes failed so epically that caused this trauma, that caused this terror all across state of Hawaii must be fixed immediately. And those responsible for this happening need to be held accountable in making sure this cannot happen again,” Gabbard said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

A false emergency alert that warned people across Hawaii of an incoming ballistic missile was sent on Saturday, prompting widespread panic among those on and off the islands.

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Gov. David Ige (D) told reporters that the alert was sent because an employee pushed the wrong button during a shift change.

“It’s these kinds of mistakes that we have seen happen in the past that bring us to this brink of nuclear war that could be unintentional. And that’s really what’s at stake here for the people of Hawaii,” Gabbard said on Sunday.

Gabbard noted recent tensions between North Korea and the United States, saying she’d like to see President Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE negotiate directly with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The negotiations, she said, must happen without preconditions. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Rex Wayne TillersonGary Cohn: 'I haven't made up my mind' on vote for president in November Kushner says 'Alice in Wonderland' describes Trump presidency: Woodward book Conspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention MORE last month suggested such talks were possible.

Trump has frequently gone after Kim Jong Un on Twitter, calling him “short and fat,” labeling him “Rocket Man” and bragging about the size of his own “nuclear button.”