People in Hilo thought they were hearing sirens. It was actually a leaf blower

HILO, BIG ISLAND (HawaiiNewsNow) - Some Big Island residents reported hearing a siren going off in the Panaewa area on Wednesday morning, but officials said no siren actually sounded off.

It was actually a leaf blower, officials determined.

Initially, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said it was a false alarm after residents reported hearing it around 7 a.m., but officials later retracted their statement upon further investigation.

HEMA said people often mistaken emergency vehicle sirens, car alarms and other sounds for outdoor warning sirens.