Sorry to disagree with the governor, but all Hawaii residents should know the sirens are an alert that there is danger: missile attack, hurricane, fire, flooding, yes, even tsunami (“Maui emergency chief defends not sounding sirens in Lahaina,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 17). I have lived multiple decades on both Oahu and Kauai and I have never heard that sirens are only for tsunamis.

I survived Hurricane Iniki 31 years ago thanks to a siren warning. There was plenty of time for safe evacuation from the Maui fire if only people had been warned and taken prompt action.

I rarely have the TV on, but if I hear a siren, I immediately turn on the TV to find out if the danger signal applies to me. We will never know the numbers, but one thing I am sure of: The death toll would be significantly less than it will end up becoming if sirens had been sounded at the first awareness of danger.

Rusl T. Bjork

Koloa, Kauai

EXPRESS YOURSELF

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser welcomes all opinions. Want your voice to be heard? Submit a letter to the editor.

>> Write us: We welcome letters up to 150 words, and guest columns of 500-600 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Include your name, address and daytime phone number.

>> Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Advertiser 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite #7-500 Honolulu, HI 96813

>> Contact: 529-4831 (phone), letters@staradvertiser.com, staradvertiser.com/editorial/submit-letter