Maui County sues Hawaiian Electric, claims deliberate mismanagement caused fires.
Government Officials Blame Utility Company for Devastating Fires in Maui
Government officials in Maui are pointing fingers at the utility company for the destructive fires that ravaged the island, claiming the lives of at least 115 people. Maui County has filed a lawsuit against the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO), alleging that their mismanagement of power lines intentionally led to the blaze that reduced much of Lahaina to ashes.
“Defendants knew of the extreme fire danger that the high wind gusts posed to their overhead electrical infrastructure, particularly during red flag conditions,” the lawsuit stated.
Hawaiian Electric responded to the lawsuit, expressing disappointment that Maui County chose litigation while the investigation is still ongoing.
The utility company, which serves around 95% of Hawaiians, has faced criticism for prioritizing green energy projects over fire mitigation efforts. Financial disclosures and reports indicate that while the company was aware of the risks of wildfires, it allocated resources to expanding its green energy network instead of taking significant action to mitigate fire hazards.
Strong winds, fueled by a hurricane 500 miles off the coast of Maui, caused around 30 power poles to collapse, igniting numerous fires. Video footage captured the moment a downed power line sparked a blaze in the woods. The lawsuit alleges that HECO failed to power down their electrical equipment despite a National Weather Service Red Flag Warning.
The lawsuit also reveals that HECO never established a “Public Safety Power Shutoff” plan, a common practice in the Western United States. The utility company faces additional lawsuits from homeowners and shareholders who believe they were negligent. However, this lawsuit marks the first time the local government directly holds the utility accountable for the fire’s destruction, which is estimated to have caused $5.5 billion in damages to Maui County.
Government Officials Under Scrutiny
Government officials are also facing scrutiny for their actions during and after the fire. Maui Emergency Management Agency Chief Herman Andaya chose not to use the island’s emergency sirens to alert residents, citing that they are typically reserved for tsunami warnings. Andaya resigned the day after explaining his decision, citing health reasons.
The Hawaii Commission on Water Resource Management was accused of delaying a request for more water to fight the fire due to consultations with local farmers. The agency’s former leader, a “water equity advocate,” was reassigned to a different division following the fires.
When residents attempted to flee Lahaina, witnesses reported that the only paved road out of town was blocked by local authorities. Traffic quickly backed up as residents tried to escape to the south, but the road was obstructed due to crews working on downed power lines. Despite the barricade, one family managed to swerve past the cones and reach safety in another town.
“Nobody realized how little time we really had,” said Nate Baird, who narrowly escaped with his family. “We did not comprehend that we literally had minutes and one wrong turn could have cost us our lives.”
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier denied claims that residents were prevented from fleeing Lahaina.
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Tim Pearce contributed to this report.
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