Hawaiian Electric continues to monitor weather as high wind advisory remains

Hawaiian Electric continues to closely monitor weather conditions with a wind advisory still in effect through 6 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 18) for portions of the islandas susceptible to wild fire.

High wind gusts and low humidity could lead to increased risk of wildfires sparking — particularly in North and South Kohala on the Big Island and in West Maui — and could require a public safety power shutoff within the next 12 to 24 hours.

Criteria for determining a public safety power shutoff:

• Persistent drought conditions.
• Wind gusts 45 mph and higher.
• Relative humidity below 45%.

Those criteria must be met concurrently to trigger a public safety power shutoff.

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.

The electric utility could implement its public safety power shutoff program, if necessary, and proactively shut off power in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk.

Customers in these areas are urged to initiate their own emergency plans and prepare for the possibility of extended power outages.

If conditions suddenly become hazardous, the utility might have to shut off power with little or no notice.

Any current outages are not related to the public safety power shutoff program.

Visit the Hawaiian Electric website or call Hawaiian Electric’s Public Safety Power Shutoff Hotline toll-free at 1-844-483-8666 for additional information about how to prepare and maps of high wildfire risk areas.

Hawaiian Electric will provide updates through news media and the following mobile-friendly resources:

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