Drone inspections support wildfire safety efforts across Maui County

As part of its ongoing wildfire safety strategy, Hawaiian Electric will use drones to inspect power lines, poles and other electrical equipment in wildfire risk areas across Maui and Lānaʻi.

Inspections will begin Thursday, Oct. 1, and continue through the end of October in Lānaʻi City, Wailuku, Kahului, Kīhei, Wailea, Haʻikū and along the Hāna Highway between Haʻikū and Hāna, including Huelo, Keʻanae, Wailua and Nāhiku.

The aerial inspections are one of several tools Hawaiian Electric uses to help reduce wildfire risk. Using drones allows crews to safely and efficiently inspect power lines, poles and equipment, helping identify potential issues that may require maintenance before they become a larger issue. Crews can also inspect equipment more quickly and access areas that may be difficult to reach on foot.

Hawaiian Electric has contracted with ProEnergy to conduct drone inspections alongside the company’s own staff. Inspections will be conducted weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., pending weather conditions. Personnel will drive Hawaiian Electric or ProEnergy marked vehicles. If on foot, the drone operator will wear a ProEnergy company-branded hard hat and vest. All personnel will carry a Hawaiian Electric employee or contractor 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 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. or ProEnergy at 442-445-9292.

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 for 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.