Statewide Siren and Emergency Alert Test Scheduled for Jan 2, 2026

State emergency management officials announced a scheduled test on December 29 for the all hazards Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System, to be conducted on January 2 at 11 45 a.m. The monthly exercise will be coordinated with a test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System. Officials said the timing was chosen to alert residents and local agencies so the sound and broadcast would not be mistaken for an actual emergency.

The test will be the first monthly statewide siren check for 2026 and will reach communities across the islands, including Hawaiʻi Island. Local emergency management and public safety agencies will use the simultaneous siren and Emergency Alert System broadcast to verify that outdoor sirens, transmission links and broadcast audio delivery are operating correctly. The coordinated approach provides a multi channel assessment of warning infrastructure that communities rely on for rapid notification during tsunamis, hurricanes, civil defense incidents and other public safety threats.

For Big Island County residents the test is a reminder of the systems in place to warn the public, and it creates an opportunity for households and institutions to confirm personal preparedness plans. Residents should expect to hear outdoor sirens and to receive any broadcast audio carried through the Emergency Alert System at the announced time, and they should not interpret the sounds as an immediate emergency. Local agencies will be monitoring performance and recording any failures for follow up maintenance.

Regular monthly testing is a routine maintenance and accountability measure that helps ensure the warning system functions when needed. For policymakers and county officials the exercise yields practical data on system reliability and highlights any gaps that require investment or procedural change. Transparent, scheduled tests build public confidence while providing emergency managers with the evidence base needed to prioritize repairs and upgrades.