HONOLULU -- Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said he was frustrated by the lack of timely, accurate information after Sunday's earthquake. So, he's looking at a new communication plan.

During the islandwide blackout, the Oahu Civil Defense Agency got power from a backup generator and city officials came in to work. But Hannemann -- who was on a transit trip in South Korea -- said they ran into communication problems.

The agency said it attempted to get out word to the public on Oahu before 8 a.m. that no tsunami had been generated. But Hannemann said the phone lines into KSSK, the FEMA-designated emergency station for Honolulu, were jammed.

Now, the city is looking into setting up an AM radio transmitter that will be used only in emergencies.

The city said it would also use its traffic management center in Makiki to deliver live reports to TV and radio stations. The center has a backup generator so in an emergency someone like the mayor or other city official could go there to speak directly to broadcasters.

In addition, Hannemann said he wants to use the Emergency Alert System to transmit recorded messages. Currently, all alerts are controlled by the state, so Hannemann wrote a letter to Gov. Linda Lingle asking for cooperation.

"This should in no way be construed as the city wanting to work on its own away from the state," said Hannemann.

Lingle's close adviser, Lenny Klompus, who's leading a task force in light of the communication problems, said he's not aware of Hannemann's request. But he said that from past drills, many government agencies have concluded it's important to have one clear voice in an emergency -- and that's the governor.