Hawaiian Electric monitoring wildfire risk through weekend

Hawaiian Electric is monitoring high winds and dry conditions on the Big Island, issuing a public safety power shutoff watch through Sunday, especially for its service areas at highest risk of wildfire.

The utility could proactively shut off power if weather conditions intensify during the next 24 to 48 hours. Customers in areas of highest wildfire exposure are urged to initiate their own emergency plans and prepare for the possibility of extended power outages.

“A watch doesn’t mean we will shut off power,” said Hawaiian Electric Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Jim Alberts. “While we hope shutting off power won’t be necessary, we have to take this threat seriously and we urge our customers to be prepared and stay informed.”

Outages that are not public safety power shutoffs also could still happen because of high winds and other conditions.

Power will remain off if those outages happen at night until crews can inspect lines and equipment in the area as well as make any needed repairs.

Call Hawaiian Electric’s Public Safety Power Shutoff Hotline toll-free at 1-844-483-8666 or visit the Hawaiian Electric website for additional information.

Hawaiian Electric’s public safety power shutoff emergency response plan includes:

• Closely monitoring weather.
• Pre-positioning crews and equipment to speed up power restoration.
• Coordinating with state and county emergency response officials when needed.
• Urging customers to prepare for possible power outages.

Safety is always Hawaiian Electric’s top priority. Customers also are urged to make it their’s:

• Check emergency equipment such as flashlights and lanterns (make sure they are operational and buy extra batteries), emergency generators, battery-operated radios and light sticks.
• Have a battery-powered radio on hand to listen for weather updates and possible public safety power shutoff outage implementation.
• If someone in your home is dependent on electrically powered, life-sustaining medical equipment, check backup facilities.
• Plan where to go if an evacuation is ordered. If you need to go to the hospital or other emergency shelter, remember to take your medical equipment and medications with you.
• If you plan to use a portable generator, make sure it is in a well-ventilated area outside the home, and be sure to carefully follow all instructions in the manufacturer’s manual.
• Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings. If power goes out, this will keep food fresher longer.
• Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronics. If an outage occurs, this will prevent damage to the equipment from surges when power is restored.
• Don’t venture out in the dark because you might not see a downed power line that could be energized and dangerous; avoid standing water and debris.
• If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and dangerous. Stay at least 30 feet or more away from all power lines. Warn others to stay away.
• For emergency assistance call 9-1-1. For Hawaiian Electric, call the utility’s Hawaiʻi Island Trouble Line at 1-855-304-9191.

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

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