The state announced yesterday that the Department of Transportation, Airports Division, Maui District, will be conducting a triennial emergency-response exercise at the Kahului Airport on Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The exercise is a Federal Aviation Administration certification requirement to test airfield disaster preparedness and response and will simulate an airliner crash at the airport. Approximately 90 volunteers from Maui High School and Maui Community College will play the role of casualties on a Boeing 777. The exercise will also include a small live-fire simulation at approximately 9 a.m.

Participating agencies will include Kahului Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting teams, the Maui County Police, Maui Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services, Maui Civil Defense, Hawaii Air National Guard, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Transportation Security Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, American Red Cross, Hawaiian Airlines, Maui Visitors Bureau, Maui Community College, Maui High School and other state agencies.

All flight operations will continue as normal during the exercise. Motorists are asked to be aware of additional emergency vehicles and security personnel along Amala Road and around Kanaha Beach Park.