Wildfire Safety

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Weather Stations and Cameras

Weather Stations

We are installing a network of weather stations in wildfire-prone areas to provide key information about wind, temperature and humidity to help the company better predict and respond to fire weather conditions.

The project includes the installation of 52 weather stations on four islands.

The weather stations are solar powered and record temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction.

The weather stations, mounted on our utility poles, will help the company decide whether to activate and deactivate a public safety power shutoff.

Weather Station

The $1.7 million project is one of nearly two dozen near-term safety measures we are implementing to reduce the potential for wildfires associated with company infrastructure in areas identified as posing a higher risk.

We have already completed the installation of weather stations at 31 high priority locations in the first phase of the project. Another 21 more are scheduled for installation by the end of July. When completed, there will be a total of 52 weather stations: 23 on Maui, 15 on Hawaii Island, 12 on Oahu and two on Molokai.

We are also sharing weather station data with the National Weather Service (NWS), academic institutions, and other weather forecasting services to help improve the overall state’s ability to accurately forecast potential fire weather conditions.


Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cameras

We have begun deploying a network of high-resolution video cameras using AI technology to provide enhanced situational awareness and early detection of ignitions in elevated fire risk areas. The public will also have access to the live feeds from any of the cameras.

The project includes plans to deploy a total of 78 camera stations in elevated fire risk areas on the five islands served by the company.

Each location has two cameras to provide a full 360-degree view, and will be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

California-based company ALERTWest will install and maintain the camera stations as well as provide around-the-clock monitoring for potential ignitions by experienced wildfire safety professionals.

The $14 million project is the latest step in our ongoing effort to reduce the risk of wildfires associated with company equipment.

AI Camera

ALERTWest’s software platform, which is widely used in fire-prone areas through the Western U.S., is assisted by AI to detect smoke and other early indications of fire in real-time. The AI Solution was recognized as one of TIME magazine’s best inventions of 2023.

The software platform’s pan, tilt, zoom cameras constantly scan their surroundings, completing one 360-degree sweep every two minutes. Utilizing AI, the system detects changes from previous images and highlights them with a red rectangular box on the screen. This, coupled with 24/7 human verification, helps eliminate false alerts caused by mist or dust. If a suspected ignition is detected, the ALERTWest Operations Center staff reviews the camera imagery to ensure there is sufficient visual evidence before notifying us and emergency response agencies.

Half of the video camera stations are expected to be operational by September 2024, with the remainder to be installed in the first half of 2025.

The public will be able to access the live feeds from any of the cameras on the ALERTWest website at https://alertwest.live/.

Download Weather Stations and Cameras Flyer (PDF)