Hawaiian Electric Provides Update on Lahaina Fires, Response
- None.
- None.
“Our hearts and hands are with the people of
Several important facts are clear about the events on Aug. 8:
- A fire at 6:30 a.m. (the “Morning Fire”) appears to have been caused by power lines that fell in high winds.
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The
Maui County Fire Department responded to this fire, reported it was “100% contained,” left the scene and later declared it had been “extinguished.” -
At about 3 p.m., a time when all of Hawaiian Electric’s power lines in
West Maui had been de-energized for more than six hours, a second fire (the “Afternoon Fire”) began in the same area. - The cause of the devastating Afternoon Fire has not been determined.
“We were surprised and disappointed that the County of
Outlined below are additional details:
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The records conclusively establish that Hawaiian Electric power lines to
Lahaina were not energized when the Afternoon Fire broke out shortly before 3 p.m. on Aug. 8, in a field near Lahaina Intermediate School. Power had been out for more than six hours by that time. There was no electricity flowing through the wires in the area or anywhere else on theWest Maui coast. Hawaiian Electric has informed ATF investigators of the availability of records that demonstrate these facts. - The small Morning Fire, seen in videos taken by local residents, began more than eight hours earlier. Those videos show that power lines had fallen to the ground in high winds near the intersection of Lahainaluna Road and Hoʻokahua Street at approximately 6:30 a.m. A small fire that can be seen by the downed lines spread into the field across the street from the Intermediate School.
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The
Maui County Fire Department responded promptly to the Morning Fire. According to the Department’s public statement that morning, by 9 a.m. the Morning Fire was “100% contained.” TheMaui County fire chief subsequently reported that the Fire Department had determined that the Morning Fire was “extinguished,” and the Fire Department left the scene by 2 p.m. -
Once the fire was out, Hawaiian Electric emergency crews arrived at Lahainaluna Road in the afternoon of Aug. 8 to make repairs; they saw no fire or smoke or embers. All lines to
Lahaina remained de-energized and all power in the area remained off. - Shortly before 3 p.m., while the power remained off, our crew members saw a small fire about 75 yards away from Lahainaluna Road in the field near the Intermediate School. They immediately called 911 and reported that fire.
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By the time the
Maui County Fire Department arrived back on the scene, it was not able to contain the Afternoon Fire and it spread out of control towardLahaina .
“The county’s lawsuit distracts from the important work that needs to be done for the people of
Forward-Looking Statements
This statement may contain “forward-looking statements,” which include statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and usually include words such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “predicts,” “estimates” or similar expressions. In addition, any statements concerning future financial performance, ongoing business strategies or prospects or possible future actions are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and the accuracy of assumptions concerning HEI, Hawaiian Electric and their subsidiaries, the performance of the industries in which they do business and economic, political and market factors, among other things. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.
Forward-looking statements in this statement should be read in conjunction with the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” discussions (which are incorporated by reference herein) set forth in HEI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and HEI’s other periodic reports that discuss important factors that could cause HEI’s results to differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the report, presentation or filing in which they are made. Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, HEI, Hawaiian Electric and their subsidiaries undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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Source: Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.
