From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m on Friday, the state Department of Transportation will conduct an emergency response training exercise at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole.
The exercise, an FAA-certification requirement, tests airfield disaster preparedness and response and will simulate an aircraft emergency disaster at the airport.
Participating agencies will include Kona and Hilo airport fire department personnel, Kona airport staff, the FAA, Transportation Security Administration, Hawaii Police Department, Hawaii Fire Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Kona Community Hospital, Southwest Airlines, American Medical Response and American Red Cross. All flight operations will continue as normal.
Motorists are asked to be aware of additional emergency vehicles, police and security personnel along Keahole Airport Road during the exercise and to please drive carefully.
Any questions should be directed to the DOT Public Affairs Office at (808) 587-2160.