Growing up in the Midwest, Eric graduated from Chicago's Columbia College and began his broadcasting career as a news anchor-sports announcer at WSHW/WILO radio in Indiana. He later moved on to television and has devoted over a decade to working full-time at TV affiliates in several states across the country.
HONOLULU (Island News) -- With dry summer months ahead, Hawaiian Electric (HECO) is expanding its wildfire safety strategy by launching a Public Safety Power Shutoff program also known as a PSPS.
Starting July 1, HECO may preemptively shut off power in areas that appear at high risk of fires during periods of forecast high winds and dry conditions to help reduce disasters and other issues.
Those relying on cooking needs along with medical care and related concerns need to be vigilant.
Local officials spoke Wednesday at HECO.
Director of Department of Emergency Management Hiro Toiya told Island News, "with the public safety power shutoff and any kind of power outage situations, there are multiple layers of impact. First and foremost there are going to be impacts to individuals and households. If you are on a home oxygen generator or home dialysis machine, or some kind of ventilator device, you or your caretaker have to prepare for a potential power outage. If Board of Water Supply's infrastructure is affected, it's possible you won't have water at your house."
"The best we can do is make sure that they're no surprises, that they're ready and can make arrangements ahead of time to do something go someplace, have somebody take care of them," HECO spokesman Jim Kelly said.
The program will start in the following areas to help mitigate wildfire risk (areas that HECO has determined present higher wildfire risk factors):
Oahu: Wai'anae, Mahaha, Nanakuli, Maili, and Ka'ena Point (approx. 2,700 customers).
HawaiiIsland: North Hawaii between Kohala (below 18 mile marker) and Waikola in West Hawaii between Kalaoa and Holualoa, and between Mauna Kea Access Road and Waikiki Ranch (approx. 19,300 customers).
MauiCounty: West Maui, Upcountry, parts of Central and South Maui, and parts of central Moloka'i (approximately 26,100 customers).
Over time HECO will reportedly expand the program to all high-risk areas on the islands that it serves. For more information and maps, call HCO's PSPS hotline at 1-844-483-8666 toll-free or go to hawaiianelectric.com/PSPS.
The second phase of the project is set to include expanding inspections of poles and lines, using helicopters, drones, along with infrared and ground inspection.
Addressing sag and tension in lines/adding spacers to reduce the potential for sparking, replacing wood poles with steel poles in some areas, continuing vegetation management efforts adjacent to power lines, installing cameras and weather sensors in critical areas, along with other concerns will be part of the second phase.
HECO announced it's advancing work on its $190 million grid resilience plan to harden against wildfires, hurricanes, tsunami and flooding to adapt to climate change impacts. Half of this multi-year program will reportedly by paid by the federal government, with the other half matched by customers.
The third phase will be longer term and involve: Providing for precision in wildfire-focused weather forecasting and risk-modeling, underground power lines in strategic at-risk areas, expanding use of covered power lines, fast acting fuses and fire resistant poles and equipment.
The final phase also emphasizes and includes further collaboration with fire departments and emergency management agencies to refine the overall strategy and seek more federal funding for wildfire defense programs.
Expanded hazard tree removal, wider rights of way, plus rights of access for clearing vegetation that threatens equipment are also listed as part of the final phase.
Do you have a story idea? Email news tips to news@kitv.com
Growing up in the Midwest, Eric graduated from Chicago's Columbia College and began his broadcasting career as a news anchor-sports announcer at WSHW/WILO radio in Indiana. He later moved on to television and has devoted over a decade to working full-time at TV affiliates in several states across the country.
