Hawaii Electric Utility Faces Criticism for Slow Response to Maui Fire
Hawaii Attorney General’s Report Raises Concerns Over Power Line Breakdown
Hawaii’s electric utility is being implicated for its delayed response to potential power line failures that preceded the deadly Maui fire in August last year. According to a recent investigative report released by the Hawaii attorney general’s office, which delves into the timeline of the incident, the utility’s failure to promptly address the power line issues has garnered criticism from experts who suggest their inaction could have contributed to what has been termed the deadliest fire in U.S. history.
Multiple Lapses in Communication and Action
The report highlights that the Maui Fire Department initially informed Hawaiian Electric, also known as Maui Electric in the report, about a snapped power pole and hanging wires on a road at 5:16 a.m. on August 8. However, despite the notification, a utility worker did not arrive at the scene until several hours later that afternoon. By that time, strong winds had caused additional power line failures, resulting in multiple fires. The utility’s failure to confirm to firefighters whether the remaining power lines had been deactivated has sparked concerns, as it further delayed containment efforts, revolving around whether they had been properly de-energized.
A Comprehensive Investigation Raises Fresh Questions
The comprehensive, data-heavy 376-page report, conducted by the Fire Safety Research Institute on behalf of Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez, revealed the origin and spread of the devastating Lahaina brush fire. While the report does not assign blame for the fire’s start and spread, it and another report by the Maui Fire Department, published earlier the same week, have raised significant doubts about the handling of the situation by Hawaiian Electric and various public agencies. Emphasizing the strong correlation between hurricanes and wildfires, the investigations raise concerns about the overall responsiveness to the Lahaina fire, referencing a similar blaze in the Lahaiana-area in 2018.
Utility and County Involved in Blame Game
Hawaiian Electric, in a lawsuit against Maui County, has acknowledged that their equipment likely caused the initial fire, known as the “morning fire.” They have accused the county of failing to fully extinguish this fire, which allegedly reignited and grew to destroy Lahaina. Maui County has denied these allegations and, according to the attorney general’s report, the utility’s response to compromised power lines and failure to adequately de-energize the equipment have affirmed these concerns.
Avoidable Tragedy and Raised Eyebrows
The attorney representing fire victims has expressed that the devastating tragedy of the fire could have been entirely avoided had the utility followed standard procedures to dispatch a repair crew and sufficiently inspect the broken power pole. Questions have also been raised concerning Hawaiian Electric’s differentiation between the morning and afternoon fire and their defense that their equipment only initiated one of the incidents, as investigators have emphasized that both fires occurred in close proximity.
Insights into the Maui Emergency Management Agency
The reports shed light on the insufficient preparedness of the Maui Emergency Management Agency during the fire. The agency was understaffed on the day of the fire, partly due to the absence of the agency’s administrator and another employee. The Emergency Operations Center was only partially activated later in the day, and many county agencies were inadequately staffed. Additionally, the reports uncovered the lack of inter-island or mutual aid agreements among Hawaii fire departments, resulting in challenges in deploying equipment efficiently and relocating resources as needed.
Seeking Answers and Demands for Records
In the aftermath of the fire, Maui residents and investigators have been seeking answers and records related to the disaster. At least 90 lawsuits, representing numerous victims, had been postponed due to Hawaiian Electric’s insistence on having them tried in federal court. Additionally, the Maui County agencies’ refusal to provide investigators with requested records and interviewees has forced investigators to issue dozens of subpoenas. The attorney general’s report indicates that there is still limited available information and that multiple requests for essential documents and records have not yet been fulfilled.
