A new wildfire safety program initiated by Hawaiian Electric is setting out to securely reduce wildfire risks in Hawaii's most vulnerable areas. The Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program, which seeks to proactively shut off power in high-risk regions during severe weather events, was officially launched on July 1. Hawaiian Electric's move comes in response to years of increasing wildfire incidents, with the program representing a vital piece of their larger Wildfire Safety Strategy.
Jim Kelly, Hawaiian Electric’s Vice President, conveyed in an interview obtained by KHON2 the need for "removing the potential for an ignition from one of our pieces of equipment to start a wildfire." The PSPS program will be decisively activated to only shut off power under specific conditions, such as high winds above 45 to 50 miles an hour, low humidity below 45 percent, and when there is a drought. Customers shall be notified at least 24 hours in advance when a PSPS is imminent, with reminders sent through diverse communication channels like email, text, and phone calls.
Specific areas on each island have been identified as having high wildfire risk. Initial regions include parts of Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui County, and central Molokai, where conditions such as strong winds, dry weather, and flammable vegetation make for dangerous wildfire environments. As noted on Hawaiian Electric's website, the power shutoffs could result in extended outages, and power will not be restored until it has been deemed safe after thorough inspections.
For those who rely on power for medical devices or who require special accommodations, registration is available with Hawaiian Electric. However, currently the company cannot offer batteries or discounts for batteries. "We’re looking to see if that’s something that we can evolve into," Kelly told KHON2. The initiative aims to carefully balance the need for safety with the hardships caused by power outages, reflecting Hawaiian Electric's commitment to safeguarding communities against the severe consequences of wildfires.
Looking forward, Hawaiian Electric's wildfire safety strategy includes enhancing technology for better weather forecasting, customer education on emergency preparedness, as well as the creation of community resources to support residents during potential power shutoffs.
