Hawaiian Electric Company

The Hawaiian Electric Company says telecommunication lines are often mistaken for power lines, resulting in delays for hazard and service responses.

HECO has wrapped up a year-long study on a new rate structure that charges customers more or less depending on the time of day. HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote reports on some of the findings.

State lawmakers passed hundreds of bills this week. That’s a lot to keep track of, so with the legislative session over as of Friday evening, HPR is narrowing it down to the important bills we’ve been tracking.

While lawmakers are considering many bills ahead of the end of the 2025 session on Friday, here at Hawaiʻi Public Radio, we’ve narrowed down the topics to the top four we’re paying close attention to.

About half of Hawaiian Electric's utility lines are underground. HECO officials say the study will help them determine a strategy for burying more lines.

A measure to release the state's $807 million contribution to the Maui wildfire global settlement is going to lawmakers for a final vote. If signed into law, the funds will start to be released to the attorney general to begin paying claims.

As part of its wildfire safety strategy, Hawaiian Electric is installing weather stations and AI-equipped cameras on utility poles across the islands to make more informed decisions about weather-related utility response.

The Public Utilities Commission will take public comment on Hawaiian Electric's wildfire mitigation plan next week. It lays out a range of strategies to reduce the risk of wildfires on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, and Maui Nui.

Hū Honua and Hawaiian Electric headed back to federal court Monday. Hū Honua first filed its lawsuit against HECO almost a decade ago, alleging antitrust actions and a breach of contract.

HPR continues to track the local impact of federal funding freezes. HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote speaks to a Hawaiʻi Island group that has had its funding for a wildfire prevention project pulled.