Montly Siren and EAS Test, Jan. 2

Emergency Management Agency Siren, Maui. Photo by Wendy Osher.

The State’s monthly test of the Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System, coordinated with the test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System, is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019 at 11:45 a.m.

The warning sirens are used to alert the public to emergencies. During this monthly test, all warning sirens will sound a one-minute Attention Alert Signal (Steady Tone). There will be no exercise or drill accompanying the test.

During this test, all warning sirens sound a STEADY one minute Attention Alert Signal. If you hear this tone in circumstances other than a test, follow emergency information and instructions provided by official government channels. This may be in the form of a cellular Wireless Emergency Alert, local radio, or television station broadcast.

Oʻahu residents in areas surrounding Campbell Industrial Park may also hear a “whooping” tone following the siren test. These areas include portions of Kalaeloa, Makakilo, Nānākuli, Kapolei and ʻEwa Beach. The “whooping” tone is a test of the Hazardous Materials siren warning group that will be activated in the event of a HAZMAT incident requiring emergency notification of businesses, schools and residents within the vicinity of Campbell Industrial Park. Contact the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management at (808) 723-8960 for more information on the HAZMAT warning group siren test.

The Outdoor Warnings Sirens for Public Safety are one part of Hawaiʻi’s Statewide Alert & Warning System. A simultaneous test of the Emergency Alert System is conducted with the siren system, in cooperation with Hawaiʻi’s broadcast industry. In the event of a real emergency, Warning Sirens and Emergency Alert Broadcasts may be joined by alerts via the Wireless Emergency Alert system, which delivers sound-and-text warnings to mobile telephones and compatible devices. EAS & WEA notifications are managed by FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, the nation’s alert and warning infrastructure.

Emergency management and disaster preparedness information is located at the front section of telephone directories in all counties. The public may contact emergency management and county civil defense agencies to report siren operation issues:

• Hawaiʻi County (808) 935-0031
• Maui County (808) 270-7285
• City and County of Honolulu (808) 723-8960
• Kauaʻi County (808) 241-1800