Residents and visitors can now sign up for the City and County of Honolulu’s new mass notification system, HNL Alert, to receive alerts about severe weather, emergencies or other important community news via text, push notification or email. HNL Alert replaces the city’s current HNL.Info Alerts.
“In times of emergency, getting accurate, timely information can make all the difference,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi in a news release. “HNL Alert is a critical tool that allows us to provide residents and visitors with real-time updates, helping them make informed decisions for their safety. But it is not just about receiving alerts — it is about taking personal responsibility and acting on them.
“We urge everyone to sign up, stay informed, and be prepared. The more we work together as a community to stay aware and proactive, the safer we will all be,” Blangiardi said.
Users can sign up for either customized alerts that require creating an account or only urgent alerts that do not require registration.
For customized alerts, visit the HNL Alert website to create an account. Once done, users can then select the topics they wish to be alerted about and whether the alert should be delivered by text, email or push notification from the Public Safety by Everbridge app available for iOS and Android. Users can select multiple addresses for alerts such as home or work and can make changes at any time.
For urgent alerts only, text “HNLALERT” to 888777 to quickly subscribe for the most important safety alerts by text.
HNL Alert is in addition to the Wireless Emergency Alerts that sound on mobile devices and sirens, and Emergency Alert System messages that interrupt radio and TV. WEAs and EAS messages are used during urgent emergencies.
HNL Alert, on the other hand, will keep residents and visitors informed of developing weather conditions and other situations affecting city services. Messages will include more details, as well as images and links to real-time information and will not disappear quickly from a mobile device. This allows users more time to read and understand the information or share it with others.
“HNL Alert allows the city to communicate much more detailed instructions and updates with residents and visitors. We want to give people as much information as we can to help empower them to make the best choices for their safety,” said Department of Emergency Management Acting Director Jennifer Walter.
“With HNL Alert, we can send you updates about developing situations so you can make the decision to leave early if you feel unsafe or need more time. HNL Alert is a tool that we can use in addition to our existing emergency alert systems,” Walter said.
HNL Alert utilizes the Everbridge system used by public and private entities around the globe. HNL Alert replaces HNL.Info Alerts though functions of the latter are still available on the website or app. HNL.Info Alert users began receiving instructions to transition to HNL Alert on March 25.
Information about HNL Alert and the city’s alert and warning system is available on the DEM website.
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