Hawaiian Electric monitoring wildfire risk conditions as Tropical Storm Hone approaches Hawaiʻi

Hawaiian Electric continues to monitor the approach of Tropical Storm Hone and for signs of any hazardous conditions with a red flag warning in effect for Leeward portions of the smaller Hawaiian Islands through 6 p.m. and a wind advisory in the forecast through 6 a.m. on Monday. 

The National Weather Service has canceled the red flag warning for Hawaiʻi Island but it remains in effect through 6 p.m. this evening for all other islands. With the updated forecast, a PSPS is no longer being considered for Hawaiʻi Island, but remains a possibility for Maui County and Oʻahu. At this time, the company HAS NOT determined that a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is needed in areas of high wildfire risk.

Hawaiian Electric’s observers will remain deployed on Oʻahu (14 observers) and Maui County (22 observers) to monitor conditions and look out for any fire risks. The company also continues to coordinate with state and county emergency response officials.

With many areas of the state in an extended drought, strong winds can further dry out vegetation, creating potential fuel for fire and heightening the risk of wildfire. The risk will be lessened if the storm brings heavy rain, but there may be parts of the islands that may get relatively little rain.

Customers should be ready for possible outages caused by high winds or, if they live in a high-risk wildfire area, a PSPS. Depending on conditions, Hawaiian Electric may implement its PSPS within the next 24 hours and proactively shut off power in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk. To see if you are in one of those communities, go to www.hawaiianelectric.com/pspsmaps. Hawaiian Electric will attempt to give affected customers as much notice as possible before a PSPS but if weather conditions are hazardous, there may be little or no notice.

The company urges customers to review family and business emergency plans, ensure they have supplies they need on hand, and keep close watch on the development of the storm. Preparation and safety tips are available at hawaiianelectric.com/stormcenter. Detailed tips also may be found in our free Handbook for Emergency Preparedness, which can be downloaded from our website at hawaiianelectric.com/prepare. It is available in English, Cantonese, Ilocano, Korean, and Vietnamese languages, as well as a version for children.

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

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 911. For Hawaiian Electric, call our Trouble Line:

• Oʻahu: 1-855-304-1212
• Hawaiʻi: 808-969-6666
• Maui: 808-871-7777
• Molokaʻi: 1-877-871-8461