Civil Defense sirens throughout the state will sound off twice each month starting Dec. 1 as officials start testing their missile warning system.
In addition to testing the general warning typically used for tsunami alerts, the sirens also will play a wailing tone traditionally used for air raids the first workday of each month.
State officials are resurrecting the latter because of tensions between the United States and North Korea over the reclusive country’s nuclear weapons program.
Talmadge Magno, Hawaii County Civil Defense administrator, said the first tone will sound at 11:45 a.m. followed about 15 minutes later by the air-raid warning.
In the event of an actual attack, residents should seek immediate shelter, he said.
Magno said the county is working through its community emergency response teams to help spread the word.
He said both siren tones will be tested each month into the foreseeable future.