The September 11th attack
State may reactivate wail of attack siren
| • | Online special: The September 11 attack |
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Staff Writer
The state Civil Defense Agency may alter the statewide siren warning system to again include a specific alert that warns of an attack.
The state stopped testing the wailing "attack" signal a couple of years ago but, because of the Sept. 11 terrorist assaults in New York and Washington, is reconsidering, said George Burnett, chief of the telecommunications branch of the state Civil Defense Agency.
"We're going back to the drawing board and saying maybe we need to reinstitute that attack signal, since it's obvious we can be attacked," Burnett said.
Meanwhile, recent tests on the system indicated that more than 10 percent of the sirens statewide — double the normal number — did not work. Some residents would have to be notified by backup means in the event of an attack or natural disaster.
The siren warning system was begun nationwide during the Cold War, when there was widespread fear of nuclear attacks. At that time, attacks were feared primarily from Warsaw Pact nations such as the Soviet Union. Schoolchildren everywhere practiced getting under their desks when sirens sounded.
Hawai'i and Alaska are among the few states that still use a statewide outdoor warning system, Burnett said.
After extensive wave damage and deaths in Hilo from the 1960 tsunami, Hawai'i decided to expand its tsunami warning system.
When the Cold War ended, the state reasoned that the chances of coming under attack had become remote. It stopped testing the wailing signal two years ago.
Now there's only one warning: a three-minute blast to alert people to turn on their television or radio for emergency information.
It would be easy for the state to reinstate the attack signal because the system already has that capability, Burnett said.
Maj. Charles Anthony, spokes-man for the Hawai'i National Guard, said the warning system can cover any type of disaster.
"If you have any natural or human-caused disaster, you can activate the system and sound the sirens," Anthony said.
As a backup to sirens, police and firefighters warn of impending danger from tsunamis and hurricanes.
Some 36 of the 352 sirens statewide did not sound during October tests. That is higher than normal because of problems Maui is having as it converts its system to be compatible with a new police frequency. Kaua'i has already completed its conversion; O'ahu and Hawai'i have not.
In Maui County, 20 of 57 sirens, or 35 percent, are not working, said Kyle Watanabe, administrator for Maui Civil Defense. Watanabe said most of the problems began once the conversion started earlier this year. The contractor is trying to resolve the problem.
In Maui County, the following areas had sirens that malfunctioned: Central Maui, five of 16; East Maui to Hana, five of six; South Kihei-Wailea, two of 10; West Maui, four of 11; Upcountry, one of three; and Moloka'i, three of 10. Lana'i's one siren worked.
Hawai'i County had three of 68 sirens down, and Kaua'i County eight of 54. William Davis, administrator for Hawai'i County Civil Defense, said his technicians are addressing the problems and should have them fixed by the next test date, Nov. 1.
Mark Marshall, administrator for Kaua'i Civil Defense, said the state addressed the problem last week, fixing four systems. 'Anini North, Hanama'ulu, Kupolo and Koloa town still have sirens that didn't work in the latest tests.
On O'ahu, five of 173 sirens are out: at Ma'ili Beach Park, La'ie Elementary School, La'ie Corporation Yard, He'eia Kea Pier and Kainalu Elementary School, said Norman Ogasawara, state assistant telecommunications officer.
Two of the three sirens in La'ie have been out of commission for about six months. The state expects to replace them with one siren within a year at La'ie Shopping Center.
Replacing the system is estimated to cost $64,000, Ogasawara said.
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
