Power remains on in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk

A wind advisory remains in effect through 6 a.m. Thursday (Feb. 19) for much of the Big Island and Hawaiian Electric is continuously tracking weather conditions that could spark wildfires in its service territories impacted by those stronger winds.

Power remains on in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk; however, should conditions shift, the electric utility could proactively shut off power in parts of the Big Island and Maui as part of its Public Safety Power Shutoff Program.

Hawaiian Electric’s criteria for public safety power shutoffs

Criteria that must be met concurrently:

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

The strongest wind gusts today have been recorded in various parts of Maui — including Upcountry, Central and West Maui — as well as North and South Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island, especially along leeward slopes and valleys where winds tend to accelerate and dry out vegetation as they rush downslope.

Customers in all communities with high exposure to wildfire risk are urged to initiate their own emergency plans and prepare for possible extended power outages.

Public safety power shutoff determinations can change at any time based on weather conditions.

Any current outages are not related to the Public Safety Power Shutoff Program.

Visit the Hawaiian Electric website for maps of high wildfire risk areas and more. You can also or call Hawaiian Electric’s Public Safety Power Shutoff Hotline toll-free at 1-844-483-8666 for additional information and with any questions.