Update: Hawaiian Electric ends Public Safety Power Shutoff watch for Hawaiʻi Island

August 14, 2026, 4:00 PM HST
* Updated August 14, 7:18 PM

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7:30 p.m. update:
Hawaiian Electric ends Public Safety Power Shutoff watch for Hawaiʻi Island
No PSPS outages implemented; storm preparations ongoing

With wildfire risk conditions abating, Hawaiian Electric has ended its Public Safety Power Shutoff watch for Hawaiʻi Island and did not need to proactively shut off power. However, the company continues its emergency preparations ahead of the incoming storm. Hundreds of Hawaiian Electric employees, contractors and support staff are positioned across Hawaiian Electric’s five-island service territory to assist with damage assessment and power restoration efforts once the storm passes.

The company has increased 24/7 staffing and additional personnel from O‘ahu have arrived on Hawaiʻi Island in advance of the storm. Crews are at-the-ready in Hilo, Kona and Waimea, and the company is prepared to deploy more crews from other islands, as needed.

Hawaiian Electric also has contractors standing by to help with restoration as soon as it’s safe to do so once the storm passes. Though post-storm damage assessments could be delayed by road closures due to flooding and debris, the company has a well-stocked inventory of poles, transformers and other key equipment already on island to help speed restoration.

Any power outages today were not related to the PSPS program.

5:30 p.m. Update:
Hawaiian Electric continues to monitor wildfire risk conditions on Hawaiʻi Island

Despite rain and increasing humidity on Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiian Electric is keeping a close eye on wildfire risk conditions, mainly due to high wind gusts and downsloping winds that can rapidly dry vegetation. The company also continues its preparations ahead of the incoming storm.

More than 500 employees, contractors and support workers are positioned across Hawaiian Electric’s service territory to assist with damage assessment and power restoration efforts once the storm passes. These crews will also be available to assist should a Public Safety Power Shutoff become necessary. Customers across Hawaiʻi, Maui and Honolulu counties are urged to initiate their own emergency plans and prepare for the possibility of extended power outages.

On Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiian Electric has increased 24/7 staffing and has additional personnel from O‘ahu arriving in advance of the storm. Crews are at-the-ready in Hilo, Kona and Waimea, and the company is prepared to send more crews from other islands, as needed.

Hawaiian Electric also has contractors standing by to help with any necessary restoration after the storm passes. We have a well-stocked inventory of poles, transformers and other key equipment on island to help with quicker restoration.

Current outages are not related to the company’s PSPS program.

Hawaiian Electric is monitoring weather conditions across its service territory that may lead to an increased risk of wildfires, particularly in the Kawaihae area of Hawaiʻi Island. If needed to protect public safety, Hawaiian Electric may implement its Public Safety Power Shutoff program to proactively shut off power in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk. Customers in these areas are urged to initiate their own emergency plans and prepare for the possibility of extended power outages.

Outages that are not related to the company’s PSPS program could still occur due to high winds and other weather conditions.

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

What HECO is doing

Hawaiian Electric has more than 500 employees, contractors and support workers positioned across three counties to assist with damage assessment and power restoration efforts should a PSPS be needed
Restoration efforts will begin only when conditions are safe for crews to work

How you can prepare

Hawaiian Electric reports safety is a top priority. The company urges customers to make it their top priority, too:

Check emergency equipment such as flashlights and lanterns (make sure they are operational and buy extra batteries), emergency generators, battery-operated radios and light sticks.
Have a battery-powered radio on hand to listen for updates on weather conditions and possible PSPS implementation.
If someone in your home is dependent on electrically powered, life-sustaining medical equipment, check backup facilities. Plan where to go if an evacuation is ordered. If you need to go to the hospital or other emergency shelter, remember to take your medical equipment and medications with you.
If you plan to use 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.
Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings. If power goes out, this will keep food fresher longer.
Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronics. If an outage occurs, this will prevent damage to the equipment from surges when power is restored.
Don’t venture out in the dark, because you might not see a downed power line that could be energized and dangerous; avoid standing water and debris.
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 the Trouble Line:
- Oʻahu: 1-855-304-1212
- Hawaiʻi Island: 1-855-304-9191
- Maui County: 1-855-304-8181