The Lahaina fires in Maui started on August 8th, 2023 and burned over 2,170 acres, took the lives of 99 individuals and damaged or destroyed 2,207 homes, commercial structures and businesses making it the deadliest fire in modern United States history. The Kula fires in Maui started on August 8, 2023, and burned 202 acres, injured nearly 20 individuals, and damaged or destroyed 544 homes, commercial structures, and businesses.
Despite National Weather Service warnings for high winds issued days before the fire started, on August 8, Hawaiian Electric (HECO) refused to de-energize its power lines. Photos and videos on social media clearly demonstrate multiple power pole failures leading to live wires coming into contact with flammable vegetation.
In 2019, Hawaiian Electric recognized, following the devastating events in California, a need to invest in safety measures to mitigate the risk of wildfires starting at their hands. They saw the upward trending risk of wildfires on the island and pledged to install sturdier conductors to prevent downed lines in heavy wind and invest in technology to sense when lines are down.
HECO's mission is to "be one of the world's most progressive and forward-thinking energy companies." They failed when they spent less than $245,000 between 2019 and 2022 on wildfire safety measures following their initial safety pledge. Hawaiian Electric was acutely aware of the need for a robust safety protocol, including when to turn the power off to prevent wildfires.
The lack of power shut-off led a former Hawaii Public Utilities Commission member to say, "There should have been greater alarms raised for HECO to implement its own shut-down program", said Jennifer Potter, a former Hawaii Public Utilities Commission member, and Lahaina resident. "That plan should have been a priority given the growing frequency and intensity of wildfires on Maui during the past five years." Potter chillingly concluded with, "We did not follow best practices".
Join the HECO Lawsuit to get justice and hold them accountable for their actions.