The Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) will be testing new or upgraded warning sirens this week at six locations on O‘ahu. The tests will sound various alert tones which will be audible in the surrounding area, but there is no hazard and members of the public need not take any action.

There are more than 400 sirens in Hawaii’s All-Hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning System, which is used to alert the public to take immediate action to protect themselves from a hazard such as a tsunami or hurricane. The equipment being tested this week include new siren locations, relocations of existing sirens, and upgraded equipment.

“Siren modernization work helps keep Hawaii’s alert and warning system ready for all the hazards that our State faces, so we are grateful to the Legislature for supporting the effort,” said HI-EMA Administrator James DS. Barros. “These tests help ensure that the new gear is working correctly as part of the statewide network.”

Equipment tests are scheduled for Thursday, March 16, through Friday, March 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The tests will be in the Wai‘anae, Nu‘uanu-Punchbowl , Hawaii Kai, and K?ne‘ohe areas of the City and County of Honolulu.

The specific locations of the sirens to be tested are:

    Wai‘anae High School, Wai‘anae
    Booth District Park, Nu‘uanu-Punchbowl
    Maunalua Bay Beach Park, Hawaii Kai
    Keapuka Neighborhood, K?ne‘ohe
    Kapunahala Elementary School, K?ne‘ohe
    Laenani Beach Park, K?ne‘ohe

Testing at each site usually takes 30-60 minutes. People within a mile of the site being tested will hear short bursts of various siren tones (steady tone, high-low, tamper warning, etc.). No action is required if you hear a warning siren test.

State and local government officials have been informed that these tests are scheduled, and social media messages will include reminders on the day of the testing.