UPDATE: Hawaiian Electric ends its Public Safety Power Shutoff watch as conditions improve

Update at 11:18 a.m. Nov. 14: 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.

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 will keep a close watch on conditions for any changes through the weekend.

Update at 10:35 a.m. Nov. 13: Hawaiian Electric has re-energized all circuits impacted in the South Kohala area by the Public Safety Power Shutoff program, PSPS.

At this time, all customers who can have power restored safely should now have electricity, according to Hawaiian Electric.

In addition, Hawaiian Electric crews are continuing to respond to outages in other areas that are not related to the PSPS. As of this release, this includes a non-PSPS outage affecting an estimated 2,000 customers in North Kohala.

The National Weather Service has extended its wind advisory until 6 p.m. today. Outages that are not related to the company’s PSPS program could still occur due to high winds and other conditions.

Weather conditions can change extremely rapidly, so the company still urges customers in all high-risk areas to implement their own emergency plans and prepare for the possibility of extended power outages.

Customers who are still without power should call Hawaiian Electric’s Trouble Line to report the outage if they haven’t already done so at 1-855-304-9191. 

Hawaiian Electric will continue to closely monitor the weather and if hazardous conditions return suddenly, it may be necessary to shut off the power to reduce the risk of wildfire.

Update: Nov. 13, 4:45 a.m.: Hawaiian Electric is in the process of restoring power to approximately 940 customers in the south Kohala area of Hawaiʻi Island who are impacted by the company’s Public Safety Power Shutoff program.

About 1,175 customers were initially impacted after high winds and dry conditions prompted a proactive outage Wednesday night at about 9:50 p.m.

The criteria for determining a public safety power shutoff are persistent drought conditions, wind gusts of 45 mph and stronger and relative humidity below 45%.

Before service can be restored, power lines and other utility equipment must first be inspected, and if there is any damage, it must be repaired. This may involve ground crews and aerial inspections using helicopters and drones, which requires sufficient daylight to safely complete. The inspection and repair process could result in extended outages lasting several hours, possibly even days depending on the location and extent of any damage.

The safety of the public and Hawaiian Electric crews is the top priority, the company said in a press release.

“The company appreciates customers’ continued patience as employees work to bring the lights back on as quickly as possible to ensure power can be restored safely without creating any additional hazards,” Hawaiian Electric said.

Weather conditions can change extremely rapidly, so the company still urges customers in all high-risk areas on Hawai‘i Island to implement their own emergency plans and prepare for the possibility of extended power outages. Outages that are not related to the company’s proactive program could still occur due to high winds and other conditions.

For maps or more information, go to hawaiianelectric.com/PSPS or call Hawaiian Electric’s PSPS toll-free hotline at 1-844-483-8666.

Original post, Nov. 12:

Hawaiian Electric alerted the public in a 10 p.m. update that it initiated a public safety power shutoff — proactively shutting off power — in South Kohala because of the threat of wildfires from high winds and dry conditions.

South Kohala is at high risk of wildfires.

The criteria for determining a public safety power shutoff are persistent drought conditions, wind gusts of 45 mph and stronger and 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.

Weather conditions can change extremely rapidly, however, so the company still urges customers in all high-risk areas on Hawai‘i Island to implement their own emergency plans and prepare for the possibility of extended power outages.

Outages not related to the company’s Public Safety Power Shutoff Program could still happen because of high winds and other conditions.

General outage information can be viewed on the company’s online outage maps.

Call the Hawaiian Electric Public Safety Power Shutoff Hotline toll-free at 1-844-483-8666 or visit the Public Safety Power Shutoff Program website.

Hawaiian Electric provides frequent updates 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.