HECO activates Public Safety Power Shutoff for Upcountry Maui customers

UPCOUNTRY MAUI (HawaiiNewsNow) — Due to the threat of wildfires from high winds and dry conditions, Hawaiian Electric has activated its Public Safety Power Shutoff program and proactively shut off power to approximately 330 customers in Upcountry Maui.

The utility said those customers should prepare to be without power overnight through Monday morning.

“We know that being without electricity for any amount of time creates an inconvenience for our customers and we apologize for the disruption,” said Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric’s senior vice president and chief operations officer.

Customers in all high-risk areas are urged to implement their own emergency plans and prepare for the possibility of extended power outages.

The National Weather Service has not issued a Red Flag Warning for extreme fire weather conditions. However, a wind advisory is in effect for parts of Maui County and Hawaii Island through 6 p.m. Monday due to strong easterly winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour with possible gusts to 50 miles per hour.

Maps of specific areas on each island that have high wildfire risk and may be subject to a PSPS can be found on Hawaiian Electric’s website.

For more information, call Hawaiian Electric’s PSPS hotline at 1-844-483-8666 toll-free or go to hawaiianelectric.com/PSPS.

PSPS Process:

• Power will remain shut off so long as hazardous weather conditions persist.
• When the weather improves, power lines must be inspected, and any damage must be repaired before service can be restored. This may involve ground crews and aerial inspections using helicopters and drones.
• This process may result in extended outages lasting several hours, possibly even days depending on the location and extent of any damage.

Please stay safe·

• Stay at least 30 feet or more away from all power lines.
• Warn others to stay away.
• Call Hawaiian Electric’s Trouble Lines listed below, or for emergency assistance, call 911.
• Oʻahu: 1-855-304-1212
• Hawaiʻi Island: 1-855-304-9191
• Maui County: 1-855-304-8181

If you must travel, please help protect line workers and crews when you see them on the roadside assessing damages or making emergency repairs.

• Move over from the lane nearest the workers or slow down until you can safely pass the work site.      
• Use extreme caution when driving.
• Power interruptions may cause traffic signals to stop working without warning. If you come to an intersection with a non-working traffic signal, treat it as a four-way stop.      
• If using a portable generator, make sure it is placed in a well-ventilated area outside the home, and be sure to carefully follow all instructions in the manufacturer’s manual.      
• Ensure that all electric appliances, especially ovens and stoves, are turned off to prevent fires when the power comes back on.

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