Safety alert: Hawaiian Electric readies Public Safety Power Shutoff Program as wildfire risk looms

Hawaiian Electric is readying its Public Safety Power Shutoff Program to reduce the risk of wildfires igniting from its equipment during dry and windy conditions as first responders, emergency management agencies and landowners throughout the state prepare for a dry summer.

The electric utility urges everyone to be ready for the possibility of wildfires this summer as federal data show nearly 54% of Hawaiʻi was experiencing some level of drought as of the beginning of this month.

Almost 57% of the Big Island is in drought, with nearly 36% experiencing moderate drought, 18% under severe drought and another about 3% seeing extreme drought conditions. 

The driest portions of the island are in the Hāmākua and South Kohala.

Drought conditions lead to dry vegetation, which becomes fuel for wildfires.

The risk of wildfire increases during periods of hot, dry weather, but blazes can spark suddenly at any time. Hawaiian Electric urges its customers to review emergency plans and take steps to protect their homes and businesses.

Wildfires can spread rapidly, so have a “go bag” with essential items and be ready to evacuate with little notice.

Waiting too long to evacuate can expose you to more risk and create additional traffic that impedes the efforts of first responders.

As a last line of defense, Hawaiian Electric could implement a public safety power shutoff, proactively disconnecting power in high-risk areas to reduce the chance for igniting wildfires.

A red flag warning or fire weather warning issued by the National Weather Service, however, do not automatically trigger a public safety power shutoff.

There are three primary criteria for determining when to implement a public safety power shutoff:

• Persistent drought conditions.
• Wind gusts of 45 mph and stronger.
• Relative humidity of less than 45%.

Hawaiian Electric added a watch period — 24 to 48 hours before a possible public safety power shutoff — as an early stage this year if weather data indicates there could be conditions for heightened wildfire risk in coming days.

This is the time residents in public safety power shutoff areas should activate emergency plans, including having survival kits and “go bags” ready, knowing where to go if and when they decide to leave home, and paying close attention to notifications from Hawaiian Electric and emergency agencies.

Visit Hawaiian Electric’s website for more information about the Public Safety Power Shutoff Program and maps of public safety power shutoff zones on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island and in Maui County.

Hawaiian Electric is implementing a multi-year strategy to reduce the risk of wildfires associated with utility infrastructure.

The program calls for ongoing grid hardening, vegetation management, installation of more weather stations and hazard-detection cameras coupled with ongoing engagement with customers and other stakeholders in the communities Hawaiian Electric serves.

Additional progress in 2025 includes:

• Replaced or upgraded 871 wood poles.
• Replaced 12 miles of overhead copper conductors with aluminum.
• Started planning for replacement of 75 miles of overhead lines with covered conductors.
• Started planning for hardening of 19 miles of transmission and subtransmission lines.
• Replaced 2,800 expulsion fuses.
• Replaced 982 lightning arrestors.

Download Hawaiian Electric’s Handbook for Emergency Preparedness for additional emergency preparedness information.

Visit the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization website for more tips about how to be wildfire safe.