Hawaiian Electric issues public safety power shutoff watch for South Kohala

Hawaiian Electric initiated a Public Safety Power Shutoff watch for the South Kohala portion of Hawaiʻi Island late Monday night, citing forecast conditions that increase wildfire risk and could prompt proactive de-energizing of lines. The company said it may shut off power in high-risk communities if conditions intensify in the next 12 to 24 hours.

The watch followed aggressive PSPS action on West Maui the same night, where an outage that began around 7 p.m. affected parts of the island before Hawaiian Electric proactively turned off additional circuits about 8:30 p.m. The utility reported wind speeds increased to more than 80 mph in parts of West Maui and humidity dropped rapidly, leaving approximately 10,000 customers without power. Hawaiian Electric advised that power will remain off until weather subsides and crews can inspect and make any necessary repairs.

Hawaiian Electric defined the watch this way: "A PSPS watch means that if weather conditions intensify in the next 12 to 24 hours Hawaiian Electric may proactively shut off power in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk." Local outlets reiterated the utility's criteria for potential shutoffs, which include wind gusts of 45 mph or higher combined with relative humidity below 45 percent. The company monitors weather stations and cameras near its infrastructure and notes that gusts can be stronger at higher elevations than in residential neighborhoods.

For residents of South Kohala and other PSPS-identified areas including Upcountry Maui, officials and news outlets urged immediate preparation of emergency plans and readiness for extended outages. Utility resources include outage maps by island, an emergency preparedness handbook and checklist, and wildfire safety information. Customers seeking updates can call the PSPS hotline 1-844-483-8666 or consult Hawaiian Electric’s PSPS information page on the company website. Local reporting confirmed the watch remains in effect in South Kohala.

Public health and equity concerns mount when power is cut. Extended outages disrupt refrigeration for medications and vaccines, impair charging of medical devices, and challenge communications for kupuna and households with limited transportation or financial means. Community health centers, home care providers and county emergency managers need clear plans to support people who rely on electricity for oxygen, dialysis adjuncts, refrigeration of insulin and other critical needs. Residents are advised to check on elders and neighbors, secure coolers for medication, maintain charged devices where possible, and identify alternate locations for critical needs.

As crews wait for safe conditions to inspect lines, Hawaiian Electric will continue to monitor weather and make decisions based on the stated thresholds. For now, South Kohala families and service providers should treat the watch as a call to act: finalize emergency plans, confirm backup power or relocation options for vulnerable household members, and stay tuned to utility and county updates for restoration timelines.