Big Island Now poll no. 57: What are your thoughts on the Public Safety Power Shutoff program?

Hawaiian Electric launched a new program where it may preemptively shut off power for approximately 19,300 customers in high-wind areas on the Big Island that are at risk of wildfire during dry conditions.

The Public Safety Power Shutoff Program, or PSPS, started July 1. So far, the electric company has not initiated the program.

This program will impact customers on the Big Island located between Kohala and Waikōloa in North Hawai‘i, between Kalaoa and Hōlualoa in West Hawai‘i and between Mauna Kea Access Road and Waiki‘i Ranch.

Hawaiian Electric has been busy over the past month working to get word out about the program, what it means and how to prepare for it. This includes work to install camera stations statewide in elevated risk areas on the five islands, including the Big Island, the company serves.

Matthew Chalker, co-founder of Wildfire Safety Advocates, said his immediate reaction is that the PSPS program is a good idea given the infrastructure and above-ground transmission lines.

A resident of Waikōloa, Chalker said that turning off the power would remove an ignition source during a fire.

However, there is concern about how the program would work in real time. Hawai‘i County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd said his biggest question is how shutting off the power would impact emergency alerting, adding various potential issues with people with medical supplies.

“There’s no simple answer, but we have to prevent things from going catastrophically wrong,” the chief said. “I do think it’s a direction we need to go but there will be changes that need to go along with it.”

Todd thinks the program’s purpose is just during the peak emergency time. Tentatively, the chief added he thinks there are benefits to not having highly energized lines.

“It shouldn’t be a long-term response but you never know,” Todd said.

Hawaiian Electric and various other agencies, including Hawai‘i County Emergency Management Agency, are holding an information event on the program and how to prepare for it on Aug. 19 in Kona. Click here for more details.