On Friday at 11:03 a.m., people across Hawaii received an “emergency alert test” on their phone that was paired with a loud blaring sound.
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency sent the message.
"This test is a routine procedure designed to ensure that our emergency communication systems are functioning properly and can effectively provide critical information during actual emergencies," said HIEMA in a news release sent an hour after the emergency test. "There is no current threat to the state of Hawaiʻi. This test was intended solely to validate our systems."
"HIEMA emphasizes the importance of these routine tests, as the agency continues to ensure that our communication systems are reliable and ready to be used in the event of an emergency. We understand that alerts can cause concerns; however, we want to assure the community that this was a planned and harmless test," HIEMA added.
Spectrum News Hawaii asked HIEMA why there wasn't a forewarning to people in Hawaii about the test alert.
"It was a test message to sure that our systems are working," HIEMA spokeperson Kīele Amundson said via email.
Spectrum News Hawaii asked a follow-up question asking for more information and will update this story if we receive a response.
The Oahu Emergency Management Agency said on social media and through its messaging service HNL Alert, “The City has been informed by the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency that a live emergency alert message went out during testing of the system. THERE IS NO EMERGENCY.”
A City spokesperson told Spectrum News Hawaii that they asked HI-EMA for more information regarding the test and hadn’t heard from them.
People took to social media platforms, including Reddit and X, to say the alert surprised them and they wished there had been a forewarning about the test. Some people also said it brought back “unpleasant memories” of the false missile alert that was mistakenly sent to everyone in Hawaii in 2018.
Editor's note: This story was updated with a response from HIEMA spokeperson Kīele Amundson. (June 13, 2025)
Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.
