Update: Public safety power shutoff ends for South Kohala

Update at 11:10 a.m. on Friday: With hazardous weather conditions forecasted to improve, Hawaiian Electric is ending its Public Safety Power Shutoff watch.

The company has been closely monitoring weather conditions, and relative humidity levels have been increasing with wind speeds decreasing. Hawaiian Electric will keep a close watch on conditions for any changes through the weekend.

On Wednesday night, Hawaiian Electric initiated a Public Safety Power Shutoff in the south Kohala area of Hawaiʻi Island when wind gusts exceeded 50 mph and humidity levels dropped below 45%. There were no other PSPS-related outages needed.

Hawaiian Electric appreciates customers’ preparation, patience and understanding.

Original story at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday: A significant shift in weather — with low humidity and strong wind gusts on Hawai‘i Island today (Nov. 11) — has Hawaiian Electric keeping a close eye on conditions that bring with them an increased risk of sparking wildfires.

To protect public safety, if necessary, Hawaiian Electric can and will implement its Public Safety Power Shutoff Program in areas on the Island to proactively cut power in communities with higher than usual risk for wildfires.

Outages that are not public safety power shutoffs also remain possible because of strong, high winds and other conditions.

What Hawaiian Electric is doing

The Public Safety Power Shutoff Program emergency response plan includes:

• Closely monitoring weather.
• Coordinating with state and county emergency response officials.
• Urging customers to prepare for possible power outages with safety as their main focus.

How to stay informed

Hawaiian Electric will provide updates frequently through the news media and the following MOBILE-FRIENDLY RESOURCES:

• HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC WEBSITE: hawaiianelectric.com
• X (formerly TWITTER): @HwnElectric; @mauielectric; @hielectriclight.
• FACEBOOK: facebook.com/HawaiianElectric.
• MOBILE APP: Free download available on Apple App and Google Play stores.
• You also can sign up for emergency outage alerts from Hawaiian Electric.

Call the Public Safety Power Shutoff Program hotline at 1-844-483-8666 toll-free or visit the Hawaiian Electric website (hawaiianelectric.com/PSPS) for additional information, tips to be prepared for a possible power shutoff and maps of public safety power shutoff areas.