Maui Emergency Siren Test CANCELLED—Here’s Why

The lack of awareness here is baffling to me. …

WLTR previously reported that Maui’s emergency alert system, one of the best in the world, failed to activate during the wildfires that ravaged the island of Maui and the town of Lahaina.

This represents a massive red flag, not just to myself, but to most Americans. One would think that a full investigation and recalibration of the emergency system would be a top priority for Hawaiian officials.

Of course, you already have a sneaking suspicion that this is not the case. …

According to Hawaiian officials, the planned test of the emergency system will not commence as scheduled, Why you ask?

Because the officials want to observe a worldwide moment of silence for the victims of the tragic Maui wildfires. … Let that sink in for a second. …

The very same people who couldn’t sound the sirens in the first place are now neglecting testing and calibration of that same siren system because they want to ‘observe’ a moment of silence for those killed by their ineptitude.

The Hawaiian Emergency Management Agency recently announced via X:

“The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System has been canceled. The test was scheduled for Friday, Sept. 1, at 11:45 a.m. However, that was within minutes of a planned moment of prayer and remembrance for those killed or missing in the Maui fires.

Out of concern and recognition that sounding the sirens at the scheduled time could disrupt the observance and cause distress, the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) will not conduct the September siren test.”

Out of concern and recognition that sounding the sirens at the scheduled time could disrupt the observance and cause distress, the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) will not conduct the September siren test. 2/3 https://t.co/P9iOqSw7i9

— Hawaii EMA (@Hawaii_EMA) August 29, 2023

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency issued this full letter explaining the decision:

The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System has been canceled for September 2023.

The test had been scheduled for Friday, September 1, 2023, at 11:45 a.m.

However, that time and date are within 15 minutes of a planned moment of worldwide prayer and remembrance for those killed or missing in the Maui wildfires.

Out of concern and recognition that sounding the sirens could disrupt the observance and cause distress, the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) will not conduct the September siren test.

Maintenance and repair work on the siren system will continue as usual, and the next siren test will be conducted on the regularly scheduled date, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023.

The regularly scheduled test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System will be conducted as usual, as required by the Federal Communications Commission.

The Live Audio Broadcast test is normally conducted at roughly the same time as the monthly siren sounding, in cooperation with the Hawai‘i broadcast industry. There will be no exercise or drill accompanying the broadcast test.

Concerned citizens were quick to point out the lack of common sense surrounding the postponement of the planned siren tests.

This makes ABSOLUTE NO sense- canceling siren test out of respect to those who could’ve been saved? #MauiFire #Maui #DemocratLogic 🤦‍♀️ @Maui @MauiLFG @StarAdvertiser https://t.co/ANKCANdXx3

— GoAskAlice (@ArtistMuse1963) August 29, 2023

https://twitter.com/Lori808Anne/status/1696366693457723412

After the Maui wildfires, the State of Hawaii will not be conducting the monthly siren test on September 1st as scheduled at 11:45 a.m. Seems like it would be even more urgent, but it's not my call.

— 𝕺𝖛𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕳𝖔𝖗𝖎𝖟𝖔𝖓 (@MissionFirst808) August 29, 2023

KITV 4, a local ABC affiliate, provided this statement from former Mayor Harry Kim:

“The siren is a stimulus of attention, alert that responds to, in regards to what we do and we should listen to local authorities and the media, whatever that needs for you to know what the instructions are.

And the sirens only reflect that,” said Harry Kim, former Big Island Mayor and former head of Hawai’i County Civil Defense.