Hawaiian Electric using drones as a wildfire safety tool

As part of its ongoing wildfire safety strategy, Hawaiian Electric is using unmanned aircrafts, or drones, for aerial inspections of its electrical infrastructure in identified wildfire risk areas of Maui County, Hawai‘i Island and O‘ahu.

The drones play a critical role in the inspection process and the technology enables Hawaiian Electric to more quickly identify issues to prevent or lessen the risk of wildfires.

In Maui County, Hawaiian Electric has contracted with E2 to conduct drone inspections, alongside the company’s own staff. Inspections typically will be conducted Mondays through Saturdays, between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Personnel will drive Hawaiian Electric or E2 marked company vehicles. If on foot, the drone operator will wear a Hawaiian Electric, E2 or Alt Spec UAS company-branded hard hat and vest. All personnel carry a Hawaiian Electric contractor or employee identification badge.

The inspections are performed at the poles and power lines, and no one will request to enter a home or business. There may be instances where the operator must enter private property, like a yard, to access a utility pole. In these instances, the operator will make their presence known before accessing equipment located on private property. Electric service will not be impacted.

For questions about this work, contact Hawaiian Electric at 808-871-9777 or its contractor E2 at 760-902-2873 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hawai‘i standard time.

The Hawaiian Electric Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program is in full compliance and protection of all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and has developed safety, training, operating and privacy procedures to make sure the unmanned aircraft are flown with the highest regard for the safety of the public and crews. Drones performing scheduled flights in support of utility and infrastructure projects are regulated by the FAA. Tampering with or damaging drone equipment or interfering with drone operations could be subject to federal enforcement or citing.