State and county civil defense agencies heard complaints about a few warning sirens, including one in Waikiki, that were silent or too quiet during the Saturday tsunami alert.

Maj. Gen. Robert Lee, state adjutant general, said yesterday's monthly siren test provided an opportunity to check out “;complaints of about a dozen sirens that were not working or were too faint.”; The complaints often pinpoint an older-model siren structure that fails to rotate, he said.

A $10.5 million project to replace mechanical models with solar-powered sirens is ongoing, Lee said. The plan is to increase the number to 504 from the current 364 sirens operating statewide.

“;We heard that the siren at Ala Wai Boat Harbor was not operational, but a technician was there today and it did go off,”; said state Civil Defense Agency spokeswoman Shelly Ichishita. She said she received 11 reports from different areas, including Kaaawa, Makakilo and Ewa Beach, Maui and the Big Island. “;We have not confirmed that they are not working.”;

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Silent sirens, even during an emergency, do not come as a complete surprise to the county.

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The Ala Wai siren was heard from Magic Island but was reportedly weak in the other direction, said John Cummings, spokesman for the city Department of Emergency Management. Cummings said there was “;a heightened awareness”; during yesterday's test. “;A number of folks called in that a siren was weak, but not giving an exact location,”; he said.

He said there are reports of “;problems in eight to 10 each month,”; adding, “;We spend time all month checking them out and testing them.”;

Of the 364 sirens statewide, 237 are in tsunami evacuation zones. Some 176 sirens are on Oahu. Ichishita said 118 of the older models remain in use.

Lee, who heads state Civil Defense, said an “;after action”; review will be convened this week or next, with government agencies, first responders, the private sector and the media sharing their analysis of how the emergency was handled and whether there were flaws in response.

“;One thing I will have our department investigate is using technology such as cell phones,”; Lee said. “;The Big Island and Kauai had a lot more people on the air. They were able to send text messages to thousands of subscribers.”;

He added, “;Some providers say it's too difficult. I'm saying it's time to review that.”;

Gov. Linda Lingle said yesterday that she was pleased with the overall response and praised state Civil Defense, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the visitor industry and state residents.

“;We had a showcase for the nation,”; Lee said. “;There were orderly evacuations; people cooperated. There were some lines, people filling up gas or buying water. People should think about having an emergency supply on hand.”;