State begins work to boost warning sirens

Old and failing signals will be replaced, and another 146 will be added along with new technology to monitor them

By Gordon Y.K. Pang

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 04, 2012

~~<p>A major overhaul of the state's siren network, designed to bolster the trustworthiness of the emergency warning system, began several weeks ago when alarms blared in neighborhoods across the islands above and beyond the usual monthly tests.</p>
<p>The recent series of field tests is now complete, kicking off Hawaii State Civil Defense's estimated $20 million refitting of the siren system. The department has $16.4 million appropriated for the effort and is asking the state Legislature for an additional $5 million to complete the project.</p>
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A major overhaul of the state's siren network, designed to bolster the trustworthiness of the emergency warning system, began several weeks ago when alarms blared in neighborhoods across the islands above and beyond the usual monthly tests.

The recent series of field tests is now complete, kicking off Hawaii State Civil Defense's estimated $20 million refitting of the siren system. The department has $16.4 million appropriated for the effort and is asking the state Legislature for an additional $5 million to complete the project. Login for more...