Ask the Mayor: When Will the Kūʻau Civil Defense Siren be Fixed?

Maui siren. File photo by Wendy Osher.

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the most-asked questions submitted to his office staff.

Dear Mayor:

Q: This is an important public safety issue. I’d really like to know why the Civil Defense Warning [siren] is and has been inoperative in the Kūʻau area of Pā‘ia for well over a year? Are you aware of this? Are there plans to repair it, and, if so, when? If not, why?

A: The Hawai‘i State Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA, formerly State Civil Defense) operates and maintains the Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren system, including the sirens in Maui County; HI-EMA is currently in the process of upgrading its system and siren equipment.

I agree with you that this is an important safety issue, which is why we are asking the state to expedite this upgrade and replacement of equipment.

Keep in mind that the outdoor siren system is just one component of our comprehensive warning system, and in case of an emergency, Maui County Civil Defense will send police officers out to conduct a tsunami evacuation as well as utilize Civil Air Patrol resources.

While the state continues its upgrade, please take a moment to sign up for emergency updates for the specific geographic areas where you live, work or visit. Go to www.mauicounty.gov/emergencyalerts and click on “Maka‘ala – Maui County Emergency Alert System.” After taking a moment to create an account, you may easily customize what types of warnings you would like to receive and through which devices.

Want to Ask the Mayor?

Submit your questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email, by phone at 270-7855 or by mail to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the Ask the Mayor column.