Civil Defense

HONOLULU — Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), together with the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency, will conduct siren testing on Hawaii Island on WEDNESDAY, June 29 and THURSDAY, June 30, 2016. Testing will be between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the following locations: Kapaa Beach Park, North Kohala Mahukona Beach Park, North Kohala Waiaka, Waimea Puako Beach Road, Waikoloa Historic Park, Waikoloa Holoholokai Public Beach Park, Waikoloa Kealakehe Elementary School, Kailua Kona These new sirens are part of the Statewide Siren Modernization Project. Residents nearby may hear the siren sound six to eight times for 30-second to one-minute intervals during the identified timeframe. Testing will include short blasts known as “burps.” During the tests, emergency management officials and technicians will check that installation work on the sirens has been completed properly. Residents can direct questions about this siren testing to the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency at (808) 935-0031. Hawaii EMA encourages the public to make use of other supplemental methods of warning including, but not limited to, Hawaii County’s mass text notification system, Blackboard Connect, and NOAA Weather Radio. Media Contact: Mary Zanakis Public Information Officer 808.620.5422 mzanakis@scd.hawaii.gov Galen Yoshimoto Public Relations Officer 808.620.5408 HawaiiEMA@hawaii.gov […]

Hawaiian Telcom reports that telephone and cellular services are operational again.  This includes the 911 system. Thank you for your patience and understanding as Hawaiian Telcom worked to resolve this issue. […]

Hawaiian Telcom continues to experience technical problems that affect telephone and cell phone services including use of the 911 system.  The service provider is working to correct the problem.Persons in need of emergency assistance are advised that if they can’t reach 911 by phone, they should report to the nearest fire station, police station, or flag down a police officer. Please note: The 911 system is still being affected by technical problems. […]

This is a Civil Defense message. This is a lava flow information update for Wednesday May 25 at 4:30 p.m. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that the two new lava flows from Puʻu ʻŌʻō remain active but have not advanced significantly.  Overflights at 8:30 a.m. this morning and at 2:30 p.m. this afternoon showed both breakouts are approximately the same length as yesterday and remain in areas that have been previously covered by older lava flows. The larger northern breakout is channeled in a northwest direction within the Kahauale‘a Natural Area Reserve.  The smaller breakout is still active but has not advanced significantly. Again, neither lava flow has extended beyond the existing Puʻu ʻŌʻō flow field.  The current activity does not pose any immediate threat to nearby communities, however, a glow may be seen at night. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Hawai‘i County Civil Defense are monitoring the lava flow breakout closely.  Residents and businesses downslope will be kept informed of any significant changes. Additional updates will be broadcast as necessary. Find more information including photos and maps at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/   […]

This is a Civil Defense Message. This is a dengue information update for Friday, May 20, 2016. The State Department of Health has identified a single imported case of dengue on Hawaii Island. Vector control crews have treated the person’s residence and adjacent properties today. Again, this is a single imported case. There is no evidence to indicate a local transmission has occurred. There have been no reported dengue cases attributed to local transmission since March. Imported cases occur from time to time and remind all of us to always be vigilant and fight the bite.   As the summer approaches and more travel is anticipated, the public is reminded that the most effective method to reduce the spread of dengue or other mosquito borne illnesses is for everyone to avoid and prevent mosquito bites. Fight The Bite by wearing clothing that minimizes exposed skin, using mosquito repellant, and avoiding activities in areas of high mosquito concentration during the early morning and late afternoon periods when mosquito activity is greatest. If feeling ill and unsure if you may have dengue, remain indoors to avoid getting bitten and infecting mosquitoes and contact your health care provider.   For information on dengue, visit health.hawaii.gov or call the Department of Health at 974-6001.  Thank you for listening and have a safe day. This is your Hawaii County Civil Defense. […]