Current:Home > NewsMaui County sues Hawaiian Electric Co. for damages from disastrous fires -MoneyMatrix
Maui County sues Hawaiian Electric Co. for damages from disastrous fires
View
Date:2025-04-24 13:27:02
MAUI, Hawaii -- Maui County is suing the Hawaiian Electric Co., alleging that its negligence led to the deadliest U.S. wildfire in the past 100 years. The county suffered an estimated $5.5 billion in damages from fires in Lahaina and Kula — and it says the deadly disaster was preventable.
The civil suit filed Thursday seeks a jury trial. It targets Hawaiian Electric, or HECO, and several related companies, seeking "punitive and exemplary damages" and to recoup costs and loss of revenue from the fires.
HECO is a publicly traded company that accounts for 95% of Hawaii's electricity customers. The utility tells NPR that it is "very disappointed" that the county filed suit.
The exact cause of the fires in Maui is being investigated by federal officials. But dozens of Hawaiian Electric's poles and energized lines were felled by high winds that propelled the fire. Videos posted on social media appeared to show power lines starting fires, and experts have indicated they think the power lines were likely a major factor.
The utility didn't have a plan to cut power, county says
Maui County accuses HECO and its subsidiaries of two major failures: not properly maintaining the electrical system and power grid; and "failing to power down their electrical equipment despite a National Weather Service Red Flag Warning on August 7th."
The county says the utility should have had a plan to cut off electrical power when conditions get dangerous.
"The practice of deenergizing power lines during fire weather conditions is common in the Western United States," the lawsuit states. It notes that large utilities in wildfire-prone California have implemented "Public Safety Power Shutoff" plans to prevent fires during high-risk conditions.
"Defendants never created a PSPS plan," the suit states.
Survivors of the fire in Lahaina have also said downed poles and wires slowed them down as they tried to flee what became a deadly calamity, saying their path to safety was obstructed by utility trucks in the roads.
HECO has said it's controversial to cut off power
In an emailed statement to NPR about the county's lawsuit, Hawaiian Electric emphasized that its focus has been on supporting "not just the people of Maui, but also Maui County."
"We are very disappointed that Maui County chose this litigious path while the investigation is still unfolding," the company added.
When Hawaiian Electric's President and CEO Shelee Kimura was asked last week why the company didn't shut off power when winds picked up, she said PSPS plans are controversial.
Kimura said the programs require coordination with first responders, and that they could also pose a risk to vulnerable people with specialized medical equipment.
The utility will conduct its own investigation of the fires, she said.
Maui County's lawsuit was filed in the Second Circuit Court in Wailuku.
veryGood! (3738)
Related
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Donor heart found for NBA champion, ‘Survivor’ contestant Scot Pollard
- North Carolina judges say environmental board can end suit while Cooper’s challenge continues
- Women are breaking Brazil's 'bate bola' carnival mold
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- NBA All-Star break power rankings with Finals predictions from Shaq, Barkley and Kenny Smith
- From Cobain's top 50 to an ecosystem-changing gift, fall in love with these podcasts
- New York appeals court hears arguments over the fate of the state’s ethics panel
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Rents Take A Big Bite
Ranking
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Caitlin Clark does it! Iowa guard passes Kelsey Plum as NCAA women's basketball top scorer
- Behind the scenes of CBS News' interview with a Hamas commander in the West Bank
- Sora is ChatGPT maker OpenAI’s new text-to-video generator. Here’s what we know about the new tool
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Heather Rae El Moussa Reacts to Valentine’s Day Backlash With Message on “Pettiness”
- Tax refund seem smaller this year? IRS says taxpayers are getting less money back (so far)
- Taco Bell adds the Cheesy Chicken Crispanada to menu - and chicken nuggets are coming
Recommendation
Small twin
Teen Mom Alum Jenelle Evans and Husband David Eason's Child Protective Services Case Dropped
Protests, poisoning and prison: The life and death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny
Pennsylvania high court takes up challenge to the state’s life-without-parole sentences
California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
How did Caitlin Clark do it? In-depth look at Iowa star's run at NCAA scoring record
Tinder and Hinge dating apps are designed to addict users, lawsuit claims
Elkhorn man charged in Wisconsin sports bar killings