Hawaiian Electric outlines wildfire-mitigation strategy; PUC solicits public feedback

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) held a public informational meeting on docket number 2025-0156 on April 20, 2025, to receive Hawaiian Electric’s presentation of its wildfire mitigation plan and public comments from Maui and Hawaii Island stakeholders.

Hawaiian Electric described a four-pillar strategy—grid hardening, situational awareness, operational practices, and stakeholder/community partnerships—aimed at reducing ignitions from utility transmission and distribution infrastructure. Mark Asano, a Hawaiian Electric representative, said the utility’s plan focuses on reducing or minimizing ignitions tied to electric infrastructure and estimating costs and schedules to carry out mitigation work.

The plan identifies high- and medium-risk areas on each island the company serves (Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui and Hawaii Island) and proposes a mix of covered conductors, targeted undergrounding, pole replacements, enhanced weather monitoring, camera systems with AI detection, faster relay protection (“fast trip”), increased inspections including drone use, vegetation and hazard-tree removal, and public-safety power shutoffs (PSPS) as last-resort…