Hawaii Electric Wildfire Safety Strategy

One year after the start of our Wildfire Safety Strategy, I’m pleased to report that Hawaiian Electric has reduced the potential for ignition of a fire by our equipment by 60 percent, according to a nationally recognized wildfire mitigation specialist. Even with this significant progress, we all know that wildfires remain a threat across Hawai‘i and that there remains much work to be done by all of us to reduce the risk even further.

One important element of our safety strategy is the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program. Under this program, we may preemptively shut off power in areas that are at highest risk of wildfires in high winds and dry conditions. We had two close calls this year but thankfully, we did not have to shut off power for safety. We want to thank you for staying informed as hazardous weather conditions develop and being prepared for emergencies.

We continue to invest in new technology and upgrades to our infrastructure to make the grid more resilient, improve reliability and address growing risks from wildfires and other hazards. We are installing new weather stations and AI-assisted high-definition video cameras, replacing and testing thousands of utility poles, upgrading miles of overhead power lines, and clearing intrusive vegetation near electrical equipment. You can learn more about our PSPS program and wildfire safety efforts by visiting our website.

To keep our islands safe, our entire community needs to work together. The best thing you can do is to have an action plan for extreme weather emergencies – being ready for a hurricane will also get you ready for a PSPS. You can find tips and information by downloading our Handbook for Emergency Preparedness.

Thank you for your support as we continue to advance our strategy for the safety of our customers, our communities and our state.

Mahalo nui loa,