HILO » Hawaii County is continuing to inspect its sirens after four tsunami sirens failed to pass the monthly test.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Tuesday that, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense, warning sirens in Keaukaha, Punaluu, Naalehu and Ainaloa didn’t pass the test Monday.
An administrative officer in Hilo, John Drummond, said there are many factors that can cause the sirens to malfunction.
He said officials pay weekly visits to sirens that fail, to try to determine a cause.
In 2013, the state began a $25.6 million siren modernization program to improve the reliability of the system. Shelley Kunishige with the state Emergency Management Agency said the first phase of the program has been completed recently, and now there are 74 active sirens in Hawaii County.
Woman’s body to be autopsied
Hawaii island police have initiated a coroner’s inquest after the body of an unidentified woman was found partially submerged in Umauma Stream in Hilo on Monday.
The body, discovered about 11:30 a.m., was taken from the stream by fire rescue personnel.
An autopsy will be conducted.
Kihei brush fire contained
Maui firefighters battled a 2-acre brush fire off Piilani Highway in Kihei on Monday.
The fire was first reported at 11:52 a.m.
With help from the Fire Department’s Air 1 helicopter, firefighters were able to fully contain the blaze by 3:27 p.m.