Hopefully, you are familiar with our emergency alert system (EAS). Most EAS messages are sent by local and state authorities. The public will typically receive emergency alerts for events such as extreme weather (hurricanes, tsunamis, flash floods, etc.)
There are also Amber Alerts (for child abduction cases), Silver Alerts (Silver Alert for missing persons – especially senior citizens), and active shooter situations. In addition, public safety alerts can also be sent to offer useful information when there isn’t an immediate threat (such as hurricane watches and flash flood warnings).
EAS messages are sent through broadcasters, satellite digital audio services, direct broadcast satellite providers, cable television systems, and wireless cable systems.
EAS broadcasts interrupts programming only once, then regular programming continues.
EAS audio/text messages may be repeated twice.
In addition to EAS, there are wireless and national alert systems, briefly described below.
WEA: Wireless Emergency Alerts
The Wireless Emergency Alert System (WEA) is used when all other means of alerting the public are unavailable, including broadcasting and internet connectivity. More than 100 carriers participate.
The method for opting in to receive WEA tests varies by phone. Check with your phone manufacturer or wireless provider for details. When you buy a new wireless phone, the “State/Local” WEA test option is disabled. The FCC recommends keeping WEA alerts enabled because they can be potentially lifesaving.
WEA alerts use a special tone (some describe it as quite loud) and a vibration, both repeated twice, and special text message that appears on the mobile device screen. WEA message text will be in English, or the language selected for the phone’s main menu.
For more information or to sign up for EAS in Hawaiʻi, visit: Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency (hawaii.gov)
National WEA
For national alerts, The President has sole responsibility for determining when the national-level EAS will be activated. To date there has never been a Presidential WEA alert, aside from a test message.
While state/local alerts can be disabled on your cellphone, consumers cannot block national WEA messages.
FEMA and the FCC are responsible for national-level alerts, tests, and exercises.
More info: A Guide for Alerts and Warnings (ready.gov) and Emergency Alert System | FEMA.gov
Hawaii’s false alarm alert in 2018
On Saturday morning, January 13, 2018 at 8:07 ama. (HST), thousands of people in Hawaii received an EAS on cell phones and televisions that read, “BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.”
Fortunately, it was a false alarm. But it took nearly 40 minutes for officials to issue an EAS correction. Official messages refuting the emergency alert were sent out at 8:20 a.m. Finally, at 8:45 a.m., 38 minutes after the initial alert was sent to smartphones in Hawaii, a second EAS retracted the missile threat and issued a false alarm statement.
The initial panic was followed by frustration and anger. Heads rolled. Investigations ensued. Changes were made in Hawaii. And the FCC issued new rules for how emergency alerts are sent.
You might also like: Disaster relief: how and where to donate or volunteer (hawaiionthecheap.com)
Event calendar of free and affordable things to do
Listed below are all types of free and affordable things to do in the next 30 days across the Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina.
Featured Events are listed first each day, highlighted by a photo. These are unique, popular, or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook.
You might also like: Hawaiʻi on the Cheap – affordable living and things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com)
