Even as firefighters continue to battle the flames engulfing the Maui resort of Lahaina, there is a fierce debate between local officials and Hawaiian Electric, the leading utility in Hawaii, over whether there was one fire or two. The answer to this question is crucial in determining the cause of the disaster and who is liable.
Hawaiian Electric finally admitted on Sunday that their power lines fell due to strong winds and ignited a fire early in the morning on August 8. However, the company claims that by 6:40 a.m., minutes after the first reports of a fire, the windstorm had caused their lines to shut off automatically. They also point out that the fire was reported as “100 percent contained” by the Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety, who left the scene and declared it “extinguished.” Hawaiian Electric states that their lines were not carrying any current when the flames erupted later in the afternoon.
This account, which refers to a “morning fire” and an “afternoon fire,” is in response to a lawsuit filed by Maui County accusing Hawaiian Electric of negligence in equipment maintenance and failure to cut off the electricity. The lawsuit claims that there was a single fire in Lahaina and two other fires on the island.
Maui County’s lawyer, John Fiske, asserts that the burden of proof lies with Hawaiian Electric to show that their equipment was not responsible for the devastation. He states that the company should present any evidence of a second ignition source, and emphasizes that ensuring equipment and systems are properly maintained and preventing power lines from being re-energized is ultimately Hawaiian Electric’s responsibility.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is currently investigating the cause of the fires. Maui County has reported that the Lahaina fire is 90% contained and has burned 2,170 acres, while two other fires on the island are nearly completely contained.
Hawaiian Electric has faced criticism for the condition of its electrical poles and for not implementing the type of power shut-off program used by California utilities for fire prevention. Up until their statement on Sunday, the company had focused on restoring power in Maui County.
The Lahaina fire started around 6:37 a.m. on August 8, fueled by strong winds coming down from Haleakala. Residents recall the intense winds and debris flying into yards. Power went out briefly before coming back on and then going out again, and smoke and flames were noticed shortly thereafter. Residents evacuated due to the powerful winds.
Hawaiian Electric claims that the wind caused power poles and lines to fall, leading to the early-morning fire. At around 6:40 a.m., the power shut off automatically. The potential threat of winds to equipment is a concern for the utility, which acknowledges that upgrades to the electric grid should have been made earlier.
Hawaiian Electric plans to make various upgrades, such as replacing copper wires with aluminum, making poles more fire-resistant, adding sensors and cameras to detect equipment issues, and installing more automatic shut-off mechanisms. Currently, a mobile substation has been brought in to replace the one lost in the fire, and crews are working to restore power.
Repairs to the Lahaina substation may take time, as smoke continues to rise from the burn area. The firefighters and utility workers are working diligently to bring electricity back to those remaining in Lahaina and nearby communities.
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