Electric Was Cut Off SIX HOURS Before Deadly Fires Occurred In Maui

Hawaiian Electric has denied all allegations that its powerlines were responsible for the deadly wildfires that swept across Lahaina in Maui.

In a response to a lawsuit filed by Maui County that claims the deadly fires in Maui were caused by a Hawaiian Electric powerline, Hawaiian Electric has claimed “its power lines had been de-energized for more than six hours” before the deadly blaze took place.

In a rebuttal, Hawaiian Electric claimed there were two fires on August 8th one fire that was caused by a downed power line and another fire that morning that was not caused by one of their power lines.

The CEO of Hawaiian Electric in a  comment responded to the lawsuit and stated “We were surprised and disappointed that the County of Maui rushed to court even before completing its own investigation,”

Hawaiian Electric says power lines were 'de-energized' hours before Maui wildfire https://t.co/QzKsyadmUW

— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) August 28, 2023

Here’s what NBC News reported:

Hawaiian Electric pushed back against the latest allegation that it sparked the deadly wildfires that swept through Maui earlier this month, saying Sunday its power lines had been de-energized for more than six hours before the fire that killed at least 115 people ignited.

This is the utility company’s first full-throated rebuttal to the allegations that its equipment and downed power lines caused the deadly wildfires that devastated the historic town of Lahaina, and it is in response to a lawsuit filed against it by Maui County on Thursday. Hundreds are still missing after the Aug. 8 blaze as authorities continue to search charred buildings and cars.

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The company claims that its power lines had been de-energized earlier in the day in response to a morning fire, which the fire department said it had extinguished, disputing a key criticism that Hawaiian Electric had not shut off the power amid high winds and wildfires.

The company said in its statement that there were two fires on the day of the deadly inferno — the morning fire and one discovered by Hawaiian Electric workers in the afternoon. It admits the first was likely caused by its power lines, but it said the source of the second fire “has not been determined.”

"Hawaiian Electric says power lines were 'de-energized' hours before Maui wildfire

Maui County alleged in a lawsuit last week that Hawaiian Electric was negligent because it failed to power down its equipment despite the weather and warnings."https://t.co/Tn1eErsYA4

— Sunsetboy4ever (@Sunsetboy4ever1) August 29, 2023

Per Reuters:

Hawaiian Electric’s (HE.N) shares jumped more than 40% on Monday after the electric utility said it was not responsible for the recent wildfires in Maui and that power lines had been shut for hours prior to the deadly blaze that devastated the island.

Maui County sued Hawaiian Electric last week, accusing the utility of negligently failing to shut off power and causing the devastating fires that destroyed the coastal town of Lahaina and killed more than 114 people.

Hawaiian Electric said its power lines were responsible for the earlier of two fires in Lahaina, but said the town was gutted by a different fire which started later in the afternoon and could not be contained by the county’s fire department.

“We were surprised and disappointed that the County of Maui rushed to court even before completing its own investigation,” Hawaiian Electric CEO Shelee Kimura said in a statement.

$HE Says lines weren’t even electrified at time of fire, and they can prove it

That lawsuit is over!

— Ignis Internum, Domina Splendira♜ (@CastratrixX) August 28, 2023

Here’s Steve Bannon’s take on it:

Maui Fire – They cut the power in Maui 6 hours before the fire- this Maui thing I’m telling you there’s something not right 👀#Lahaina #fire #Maui #MauiFire #hawaiifire #Hawaii pic.twitter.com/UBqgaGL0su

— HumanDilemma (@HumanDilemma_) August 29, 2023