Multiple news outlets reported that Hawaiian Electric has placed portions of Maui — including West Maui, Ōmaʻopio, and Pūlehu in Kahului — under a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) watch due to high winds and dry conditions that could elevate wildfire risk. The utility says it may proactively cut power within 24 to 48 hours if weather conditions worsen, and is urging customers in affected areas to prepare for possible extended outages. No shutoff has been ordered yet, but officials warn outages could occur without advance notice if the watch is activated.
- Hawaiian Electric declared a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) ‘watch’ on Friday, covering West Maui, Ōmaʻopio, and Pūlehu in Kahului, as well as parts of Hawaiʻi Island.
- A PSPS watch means conditions are being closely monitored — power has not been shut off yet, but a proactive outage could occur within 24–48 hours if winds and dryness intensify.
- If activated, outages could happen at any time without warning. (Hawaii News Now)
- Non-PSPS outages could also occur independently due to high winds and other conditions. (Maui Now)
- National Weather Service forecasters noted trade winds increasing overnight with a dry, stable airmass producing gusty downslope winds and low humidity — conditions creating ‘near critical fire weather concerns,’ especially above the inversion height and downslope of ridges. (Bigislandvideonews)
- Hawaiian Electric SVP Jim Alberts stated: ‘We have to take this threat seriously and we urge our customers to be prepared and stay informed.’
- Residents are advised to check emergency equipment (flashlights, batteries, generators, battery-powered radios) and prepare for the possibility of extended power loss.
- Households with members dependent on electrically powered medical equipment should identify backup facilities and plan for possible evacuation.
- Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply asked all water customers to immediately reduce usage by 10% to prepare systems for fire-protection needs; if a PSPS is implemented, water use may be restricted to consumptive and hygiene purposes only. (Bigislandvideonews)
- For updates and affected-area maps, call Hawaiian Electric’s PSPS hotline: 1-844-483-8666, or visit hawaiianelectric.com/PSPS.
Sources
- Bigislandvideonews: Wildfire Risks Prompt Public Safety Power Shutoff Watch
- Maui Now: Public Safety Power Shutoff watch: Hawaiian Electric monitoring wildfire risk conditions
- Hawaii News Now: HECO on power shutoff watch, monitors fire risk conditions
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