O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff
HONOLULU
Siren system won't change
The state Civil Defense Agency has tentatively decided to stick with one siren signal for its Emergency Alert System.
After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, the Hawai'i emergency management community considered adding an alert signal to specifically announce an enemy attack, said Leighton Ah Cook, branch chief for training, education and information.
The state previously used different warning tones for tsunami, hurricane and attack but dropped those for one steady 45-second signal that alerts the public to turn on their radio or television to get information.
Emergency managers decided it was better to stick with one signal and train the public to turn on the radio or television, Ah Cook said.
"If we had four, five of six different types of siren sounds, people will get confused and we'd end up fielding thousands of phone calls," he said.
The next test of the Emergency Alert System will be at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday throughout the Islands.
For information about the tests and emergency preparation information, visit the Web site for Civil Defense at www.scd.state.hi.us
Pauoa Valley to lose power
About 200 homes in Pauoa Valley will be without electrical power from 9 a.m. to noon today while Hawaiian Electric Co. upgrades equipment in the area.
Homes on Pauoa Road and Kaneali'i Avenue between Lae and Kapalu streets and on Kapalu, Hi'ilawe and Koalele streets will be affected.
HECO crews have already notified residents in the area of the cutoff by going door-to-door.
WINDWARD
Lanakai keeps Jan. 1 tradition
Lanikai will celebrate New Year's Day with an early morning race and parade, continuing a 35-year tradition.
The annual Woes Day Parade, a fun and often politically incorrect event, is made up mostly of Lanikai residents who decorate their trucks, the dog or themselves to participate.
The day begins with a foot race at 7:30 a.m. at the Lanikai Community Park on Kaiolena Street. Lineup for the parade is at 8:30 a.m. and it begins about 9, traveling the loop on A'alapapa and Mokulele drives.
The best seats are at the beginning of the parade because sometimes participants don't finish the route, said Byrde Cestare, one of the parade organizers.
The theme for the parade, "Looking Forward, Looking Backward," was chosen "because 2002 is the same forward or backward," she said. "We like to have a vague theme so people do whatever they want."
Breakfast will be served after the parade and it includes entertainment. Once again Susan McGovney Hansen will complete a painting and auction it for the benefit of the Lanikai community.
