EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION ISSUED RELATING TO RED FLAG WARNING, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2024
News Release from Office of the Governor, December 11, 2024
HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green, M.D., today signed an Emergency Proclamation in response to a Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service in Honolulu.
The Emergency Proclamation will be in effect through Friday, December 13, 2024, for wind and low relative humidity in leeward areas of all Hawaiian Islands, unless terminated or superseded.
In an effort to address existing and potential impacts caused by inclement weather conditions, the emergency proclamation enables rapid deployment of resources to mitigate risks. It also advises the public to avoid actions that could create unnecessary dangers.
A Red Flag Warning means conditions are favorable for wildfires to start and spread quickly. The public is urged to avoid activities that could spark a fire, including open flames, campfires and outdoor grilling. The use of power tools that could produce sparks, as well as idling or parking vehicles on dry grass, should also be avoided. Residents should check with county authorities for any bans or restrictions related to these activities.
Additional resources are available at hwmo.org/ready-set-go, county fire department websites, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife website.
Residents are encouraged to stay vigilant and informed by monitoring local news media and county emergency management agencies for updates and warnings about high-risk areas in their communities.
The proclamation also suspends laws that might delay the execution of emergency functions.
An executed copy of the EP can be found here.
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Hawaiian Electric monitoring wildfire risk conditions
Strong winds could lead to Public Safety Power Shutoff
News Release from HECO, 12/11/2024
HONOLULU, Dec. 11, 2024 – The National Weather Service this afternoon issued a red flag warning for leeward areas across all islands of the state of Hawaii through Thursday afternoon because of forecast low humidity and strong wind gusts. As a result, Hawaiian Electric is monitoring weather conditions across the state, which may lead to an increased risk of wildfires. 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.
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 we’re doing
At Hawaiian Electric, we have activated our PSPS emergency response plan, which includes:
Closely monitoring weather
Coordinating with state and county emergency response officials
Urging customers to prepare for possible power outages and to make safety their top priority
How you can prepare
Safety is always Hawaiian Electric’s top priority. We urge customers to make it their top priority, too:
- Check emergency equipment such as flashlights, emergency generators, battery-operated (hand-crank or solar) radios, light sticks, and lanterns to be sure they are operational, and buy extra batteries.
- Make sure you have a battery-powered radio on hand to listen for updates on theweather conditions and possible PSPS activation.
- 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 to the facility.
- 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 our Trouble Line:
Oahu: 1-855-304-1212
Hawaii: (808) 969-6666
Maui: (808) 871-7777
Molokai: 1-877-871-8461
How to stay informed
Hawaiian Electric will provide updates frequently through the news media and the following mobile-friendly resources:
Hawaiian Electric website: hawaiianelectric.com
Twitter/X: @HwnElectric; @mauielectric; @hielectriclight
Facebook: facebook.com/HawaiianElectric
Mobile app: free download available on Apple App and Google Play stores
You also have the option to sign up to receive emergency outage alerts from Hawaiian Electric at hawaiianelectric.com/psps.
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Crews working to restore power in North Hawaii Island
Overnight outage for customers from Kawaihae to Kohala Ranch areas
Outage not a Public Safety Power Shutoff
News Release from HECO,12/11/2024
HONOLULU, Dec. 11, 2024 – Hawaiian Electric is working to restore power to customers in north Hawaii Island. About 2,900 customers in Waimea, Kawaihae, and the Kohala Ranch area lost power at 4:21 p.m. today due to a fault on the transmission line that serves the area. The outage was not a Public Safety Power Shutoff or PSPS.
Power was restored in Waimea at 7:23 p.m. Power to customers on Kawaihae Road between the mile marker 59-61 as well as from Kohala View Estates to Anekona Estates was restored at 7:47 p.m.
About 950 customers from the Ouli Housing area in Kawaihae to the Kohala Ranch area are advised to plan for an overnight outage. In addition to repairs, the company’s wildfire safety protocols in these high wildfire risk areas require visual safety inspections before the line can be reenergized.
Due to the National Weather Service red flag warning for leeward areas of all islands, Hawaiian Electric is continuing to monitor weather conditions across the state. If needed to protect public safety, the company may proactively shut off power in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk. Outages not related to the company’s PSPS program could occur due to other conditions, as is the case with the above-mentioned Hawaii Island outage.
How to stay informed
Hawaiian Electric will provide updates frequently through the news media and the following mobile-friendly resources:
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FINAL UPDATE: Hawaiian Electric cancels Public Safety Power Shutoff watch
No PSPS outages implemented
News Release from HECO, 12/12/2024
HONOLULU, Dec. 12, 2024, 4:15 p.m. – With the cancellation of the National Weather Service’s red flag warning for all Hawaiian Islands at 3:33 p.m., Hawaiian Electric has also cancelled its Public Safety Power Shutoff watch.
The company has been monitoring weather conditions. With winds decreasing and relative humidity increases, the threat of critical fire weather has diminished. Hawaiian Electric did not need to shut off power to customers under its PSPS program. Any power outages were unrelated to the PSPS program.