Hawaiian Electric ends Public Safety Power Shutoff watch with improving weather conditions

With weather conditions improving, Hawaiian Electric ended its Public Safety Power Shutoff watch on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island as weather conditions improved, taking pressure off the communities most vulnerable to wildfire on both islands.

The electric utility’s monitoring for possible fire weather started Saturday.

Strong trade winds began to blow during the weekend into the already normally windier areas of the two islands — including North Kohala and portions of South Kohala, North Kona, Hāmākua, Kaʻū and Puna on the Big Island.

Winds reached sustained speeds of more than 20 mph in several locations, with gusts of up to 40 mph or more, as a strong ridge of high pressure positioned itself north of the state.

Dry conditions were only forecast to get more arid in the same locations during the same time — a dangerous mix that could ignite into a serious situation under the right circumstances.

Especially with an abundance of dry vegetation for any wildfire that did spark to readily feed on in the drought-stricken areas.

Fortunately, wind gusts began diminishing last night and continue to do so today.

National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu now expect moderate to locally breezy trade winds to continue through the week, with afternoon relative humidity near summertime normals as forecast models show the surface high pressure — centered about 1,400 miles northeast of the islands — will extend its Hawaiian stay through the week.

It should start drifting north Sunday, with trades weakening as the high moves farther away from the state.

Forecasters expect typical summertime fire weather conditions into next week. Otherwise, fairly typical summertime weather, with clouds and showers favoring windward and mauka areas, is in the forecast.

Hawaiian Electric only initiated the Public Safety Power Shutoff Program once during the weekend, turning off power to 330 Upcountry Maui customers the afternoon of July 6 and overnight until their power was restored by 8:30 a.m. the morning of July 7.

Any other power outages during the electric utility’s Public Safety Power Shutoff watch period from July 5 through today were unrelated to the program.

Commercial and residential customers — including renters — can sign up to receive Hawaiian Electric’s emergency outage communications.

Notifications can be delivered by mobile or landline phone and via email.

Customers who use a life-support device or rely on medication requiring refrigeration can also sign up for medical needs communications for Public Safety Power Shutoffs and other planned outages.

Visit the Hawaiian Electric website to sign up for Public Safety Power Shutoff communications.