MEDIA RELEASE

A test of the emergency warning siren system Tuesday morning was successful, with all 71 sirens islandwide sounding.

Crews will be dispatched to follow up on two reports of abnormal sounding – lower than usual volume in Paukaa and shorter than usual duration in Laupahoehoe.

The emergency warning siren system is just one facet of a comprehensive emergency notification strategy, which includes sounding sirens, sending phone, text, and email alerts through mass notification systems, Civil Defense messages on radio and television stations, and manual notification by Police, Fire, and Civil Air Patrol.

Residents are encouraged to not rely solely on one means of notification and to utilize as many of the tools as possible. Civil Defense recommends having a portable battery operated radio to tune in to local broadcasts, and signing up for both Civil Defense (hawaiicounty.gov/civil-defense) and Hawaii Police Department (hawaiipolice.com) notification systems.

In the event of an emergency, every effort will be made to provide the community with timely and accurate notification and guidance.

“On behalf of the entire staff of the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency, I would like to thank the community for your patience and understanding with the continued maintenance of the siren warning system,” Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira said. “We stand behind our commitment to work with everyone to provide for a safer Hawaii Island.”