Hawaiian Electric monitors wildfire risk, weighs possible power shutoffs

Update 9:10 a.m. Feb. 17: Hawaiian Electric teams are continuing to closely monitor weather conditions that may require a Public Safety Power Shutoff within the next 12 to 24 hours in parts of Hawai‘i Island and Maui.

As of 9 a.m., parts of Hawaiʻi Island and Maui were still experiencing strong gusts, with the strongest gusts expected in West Maui and North Kohala, especially along leeward slopes and valleys where winds tend to accelerate as they move downhill. The power company will continue to monitor forecasts as winds are expected to increase in the next few days.

Hawaiian Electric’s criteria for determining a shutoff calls for the following criteria to be met concurrently: persistent drought conditions, wind gusts 45 mph and higher, and relative humidity below 45%.

The company 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.

Original post: Hawaiian Electric crews are monitoring worsening weather conditions that could prompt a Public Safety Power Shutoff in parts of Hawaii Island, the utility announced Monday.

At 5 p.m., Hawaiian Electric reported that relative humidity levels declined throughout the day in areas including South Kohala on Hawaii Island, at times dropping below 45 percent. Wind gusts reached up to 50 mph, though officials said the strongest winds did not occur at the same time as the lowest humidity readings.

Officials with the utility company said it will consider activating its Public Safety Power Shutoff program if three conditions occur simultaneously: persistent drought, wind gusts of 45 mph or higher, and relative humidity below 45 percent.

If those criteria are met, the utility could proactively cut power within the next 24 hours in communities with high wildfire risk exposure.

Customers in affected areas are urged to review emergency plans and prepare for the possibility of extended outages. The company said that any current outages are unrelated to its Public Safety Power Shutoff program.

The electric company’s emergency response plan includes close weather monitoring, coordination with state and county emergency management officials, pre-positioning of crews and equipment to expedite restoration, and outreach encouraging customers to prepare safely.

For more information and maps of areas that have high wildfire risk, click here or call Hawaiian Electric’s PSPS toll-free hotline at 1-844-483-8666.