Hawaii KAI, Hawaii (KHON2) – Hawaiian Electric said overgrowth of albizia trees that are smothering power lines along the base of the Koolau Mountains is to blame for recent power outages in eastern Honolulu .
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Millions of dollars are spent each year on vegetation management, but lawmakers said more needs to be done.
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Hawaii Kai Rep. Gene Ward said his district has had so many extended power outages this year that he’s lost count.
“Two or three a month for the last few months,” Rep. Ward said, “I mean, we’re getting to the point where when they say, you know, ‘This is just temporary,’ people don’t believe it!”
Hawaiian Electric said East Honolulu relies on power lines that run along the Koolau Mountains and bring electricity from Windward Oahu.
Officials said an albizia tree was to blame for outages over the weekend of Saturday, May 18 in Hawaii Kai, and follow-up inspections showed more invasive species encroaching on sections of the lines near the base of the mountains.
“Will money be saved by burying some of these lines through the urban core instead of having high voltage transmission lines run over the Koolaus Peaks, to the Windward side and then back to Hawaii Kai,” Hawaii asked Kai Sen? .Chris Lee.
Hawaiian Electric said it spends $12 million each year on vegetation management on Oahu alone; Lawmakers said it’s a job that needs to be done better.
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“But we’re not in a third world country, we should be able to do better and I’m sure HECO is trying to do that, but they have to do a better job.”
Representative Gene Ward, (R) Portlock, Hawaii Kai, Kalama Valley
“Especially when it comes to these things that are causing repeated outages, you know, what seems like every two weeks right now, which I think is frustrating for everyone,” Senator Lee said.
Hawaiian Electric’s director of operations said they are developing action plans to clean up the area that is being choked by albizia. Other plans are underway to create a public safety power shutoff program in the event of red flag warnings as an expected dry summer approaches.
Nanakuli representative Darius Kila said it will involve targeted cuts in bushfire-prone areas.
“All those people who provide essential services will be able to continue operating. And I think that’s why it’s imperative that they make a comprehensive plan going into the summer about what we might expect,” Rep. Kila said.
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Rep. Kila said details of the program are still being worked out and outreach is expected to begin in June 2024. Click here for more information about the shutdown program or Click here for details on how to file a claim for any damaged items or lost food due to recent outages.
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