Monthly siren test scheduled Tuesday
The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System, coordinated with the test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System, is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Tuesday.
During this monthly test, all Statewide Outdoor Warning Sirens will sound a one-minute Attention Alert Signal (Steady Tone). A simultaneous test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System is conducted with the monthly siren sounding, in cooperation with Hawaii’s broadcast industry. There will be no exercise or drill accompanying the test.
The all-hazard Outdoor Siren Warning System for Public Safety is one part of Hawaii’s Statewide Alert &Warning System used to notify the public during emergencies. To report sire operation issues call Hawaii County Civil Defense at (808) 935-0031.
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West Hawaii certified as Blue Zones Community
West Hawaii has been named a certified Blue Zones Community, joining North Hawaii and East Hawaii, rounding out the entire County of Hawaii, as certified Blue Zones Communities, Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA), Sharecare, Inc., and Blue Zones, LLC announced Wednesday.
Brought to Hawaii through an innovative sponsorship by HMSA, Blue Zones Project is a community-led, well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to lifestyle, environment, policy, and social networks.
Blue Zones Project launched in West Hawaii in January 2017 after its sister communities, North Hawaii and East Hawaii, launched in 2015. Over the course of three years, 45,927 individuals engaged with Blue Zones Project on Hawaii Island, 10,617 of whom live in West Hawaii. Overall, 66 worksites, 33 schools, 29 restaurants, and 13 grocery store locations have become Blue Zones Project Approved across Hawaii County.
Data from Sharecare’s Community Well-Being Index, a large-scale survey with over 600 elements of social determinants of health data, shows positive trends in the health and well-being of Hawaii Island residents. Specifically, West Hawaii outpaces the U.S. and the state in social and financial well-being. Individuals engaged with Blue Zones Project in West Hawaii showed an 11% improvement overall in well-being since 2017. There was a 4.8-point difference, between 70.5 and 65.7, in the Well-Being Index score of those engaged versus not engaged in West Hawaii.
Furthermore, Blue Zones Project participants across Hawaii Island report higher levels of purpose, social well-being, community well-being, volunteerism, and produce consumption. As a result, 69% of West Hawaii residents agree that they want to live and age in their community.
To learn more about Blue Zones Project, email bluezonesprojecthawaii@sharecare.com or visit hawaii.bluezonesproject.com.