Public safety power shutoff watch initiated for South Kohala on Big Island

Hawaiian Electric initiated a public safety power shutoff watch late Monday night (Feb. 9) for South Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island.

Hawaiian Electric could proactively shut off power in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk if weather conditions intensify during the next 24 hours.

Customers in South Kohala are urged to prepare their own emergency plans during the watch period and be ready for the possibility of extended power outages.

Criteria for determining a shutoff include wind gusts of 45 mph and higher with relative humidity below 45%.

Hawaiian Electric analyzes data from weather stations and cameras near its infrastructure in high-risk areas with potential for fire spread.

Wind gusts can be stronger in higher elevations than in residential areas.

Public safety power shutoff process

• Power will remain shut off so long as hazardous weather conditions persist.
• Power lines must be inspected when weather improves. Any damage must be repaired before service can be restored. This could involve ground crews and aerial inspections using helicopters and drones.
• This process could result in extended outages lasting several hours, possibly even days depending on the location and extent of any damage.

How to stay informed

Hawaiian Electric provides updates frequently on its mobile-friendly resources:

• Hawaiian Electric website.
• X: @HwnElectric, @mauielectric, @hielectriclight.
• Facebook.
• Mobile app: Free download available on Apple App Store and Google Play.

Hawaiian Electric also initiated a watch for other public safety power shutoff identified areas of Maui, including the Upcountry.

About 10,000 customers in West Maui already are without power after an outage began about 7 p.m. Monday.

Wind speeds increased to more than 80 mph in parts of West Maui and humidity dropped rapidly, so the determination was made to proactively turn off power to other remaining circuits in West Maui as of 8:30 p.m. for a public safety power shutoff as a safety provision based on wildfire risk.

Customers in the West Maui area should prepare for an extended outage overnight into today (Feb. 10) because of public safety power shutoff weather conditions.

Extreme wind gusts and rapidly plummeting humidity levels continued late Monday night.

Power will remain off until weather subsides and crews can inspect and make any needed repairs. Customers in the public safety power shutoff areas are being asked to prepare for extended outages.

For more information, Call the Hawaiian Electric Public Safety Power Shutoff Hotline toll-free at 1-844-483-8666 or visit the Hawaiian Electric website for additional information.