September 1, 2024, 5:49 p.m. HST
Big Island residents have mixed feelings about Hawaiian Electric’s Public Safety Power Shutoff Program (PSPS), which began on July 1.
The program enables the energy supplier to preemptively shut off power to around 19,300 customers in windy areas on the Big Island where there is a risk of wildfires during dry periods.
PSPS was considered last month due to high winds and dry conditions that dissipated with Hurricane Hone, but the utility decided not to launch the program.
This program impacts customers on the Big Island between Kohala and Waikōloa in northern Hawaii, between Kalaoa and Hōlualoa in western Hawaii, and between Mauna Kea Access Road and Waiki’i Ranch.
Big Island Now wanted to know what the public thought about this new program. More than 900 people responded to the August survey, which asked readers, “What do you think about the safety power shutoff program?”
Thirty-four percent of voters believed that PSPS posed a danger to people because a power outage would also mean a loss of medical supplies.
Social media commentator Silva0072 wrote: “This is ridiculous. They never had to do this before because the infrastructure and vegetation were regularly maintained.”
19 percent of voters believed there was no easy solution to forest fire protection, but were open to the program.
Social media commenter Susan A. Regeimbal wrote, “I think a power outage would be better than losing your home, your life, or your livelihood! I’m sure Lahaina would have gladly sacrificed power to prevent the tragedy.”
Social media commentator Scooter wrote: “Switch to underground lines in windy areas.”
Theron Dauchy commented: “I am concerned about the water being turned off for firefighting operations because these are electric pumps.”
Chaunceymcfeeters8 wrote: “They’ve been doing this in California for years and it’s just another scam. Yes, get generators, it’s really expensive to lose all the food in your freezer.”
The full results can be found below:
- I think it puts people at risk. A power outage means that the supply of medical care is interrupted. 318 (34%)
- There is no easy answer to protecting against forest fires. But I am open to the program. 181 (19%)
- I think this is a great idea. It will save lives. 101 (10%)
- I don’t know enough about the program to say whether it is helpful or not. 81 (8%)
- I’m not sure about the program, but I like the weather camera stations. 73 (7%)
- That’s hard to say. The program has not been activated yet. 69 (7%)
- None of the above. Leave a comment below. 102 (11%)
- Total votes: 925
