Civil Defense Sirens Malfunction, No Emergency Exists

Hawaii County Civil Defense officials said soundings of tsunami warning sirens shortly before noon today were the result of a malfunction, and no emergency situation exists.

Officials said the soundings inadvertently occurred while technicians were conducting system checks.

Bill Hanson  of Civil Defense said as soon as the reports began coming in staff initiated the cancelling procedure and prepared to send out messages using its text and email system notifying the public that no emergency was occurring. The Hawaii Police Department also sent out a message using its Nixle system.

Sirens sounded in a variety of areas on the Big Island including Pahoa, Mountain View and Kona as well as in Keaukaha and at least one other Hilo location.

The agency’s regular test of the siren system takes place at 11:45 a.m. on the first of each month.