The public can now view the number of warning sirens across the state and their operational status on a new online dashboard. Screenshot of HI-EMA website

The Maui News

The Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency this week posted an interactive map showing the location of 418 alert and warning sirens across the state, as well as their operational status as of the most recent monthly test.

The sirens are tested on the first business day of each month. The data that is now displayed on the map reflects the results of the test conducted on Oct. 2.

As of the start of this month, there were 326 fully operational sirens, or 78 percent of the total; 29 sirens, or 6.9 percent, require maintenance; 37 sirens, or 8.9 percent, require maintenance with contracting support; and 26 sirens, or 6.2 percent, are inoperable and beyond repair.

The interactive map displays fully operational sirens in green. Sirens that require maintenance that HI-EMA can perform unassisted are shown in yellow. Sirens that need maintenance that must be performed with contracted assistance are shown in red. Sirens that are beyond repair are shown in black.

“Some of those blacked-out sirens are close to 60 years old and they need to be replaced, but because of development in the area the sites are no longer suitable,” said James Barros, administrator of HI-EMA. “Others have been destroyed by lightning, vandalism or drunk drivers, and at least three burned in the Maui wildfires. This new tool will enable the public to check on the operational status of all the sirens in their communities.”

HI-EMA operates the all-hazard statewide outdoor warning siren system as one of the tools it uses to alert the public in an emergency. The system may be used for any type of imminent hazard to alert the public to seek additional information. That additional information may come through the Wireless Emergency Alert system, which sends alerts to mobile devices, or the Emergency Alert System, which is sent via TVs and radios.

The map may be viewed on the HI-EMA website at ready.hawaii.gov by selecting “Siren Status Map” under the “Get Ready” tab.

“It’s a challenge to keep a complex system such as our siren network running in perfect condition, but this new tool will help to give the public transparency into the system,” Barros said. “That will be vital as we work to improve all our alert and warning systems to improve protection for the people of Hawai’i.”