Power outages may occur during school hours. While it can be inconvenient, school administrators and Department leadership monitor local county alerts. If a power outage occurs, in most cases a school campus will remain open. Generally, keeping students on campus is the safest choice.
In the event of a school closure, notification will be sent from the school directly to families and will also be posted to the Department’s website. Please ensure that your child’s school has your most up-to-date contact information.
What is a Public Safety Power Shutoff?
In July 2024, Hawaiian Electric Co. (HECO) launched a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program and the Fast Trip Response (FTR) as part of its Wildfire Safety Strategy. During a PSPS, HECO may preemptively shut off power in areas during periods of expected high winds and dry conditions to help reduce the risk of wildfires. Circuit breakers will also be set to "trip," allowing power to be shut off quickly if a disruption is detected, triggering an FTR.
HECO will aim to provide 24-48 hours advance notice of a PSPS, but if conditions are suddenly hazardous, power may be shut off with little to no notice. Power will remain off as long as hazardous weather conditions persist. When the weather improves, power lines will be inspected for damage before service is restored, and that may take hours, possibly even days.
What schools are identified as potentially impacted?
You can view PSPS area maps on HECO’s website, showing areas with potentially high wildfire risk that may be subject to a PSPS.
The Department is finalizing guidance for schools identified as potentially impacted by PSPS. According to HECO's most recent communication with the Department, 16 schools (15 Department schools and 1 charter school) are identified as potentially impacted by PSPS.
How will you be notified of a PSPS impacting the school?
The school will provide updates directly to families regarding any PSPS or FTR notices that may impact the campus, and will include a plan for school operations. The Department is finalizing a plan for PSPS response including increasing readiness to remain open during a PSPS-related power outage provided that weather conditions are otherwise safe. When HECO initiates an "alert" about a potential PSPS or when there is a PSPS-related power outage that affects a school, notification will be sent from the school directly to families and will also be posted to the Department’s website. Please ensure that your child’s school has your most up-to-date contact information.
The following factors will be assessed in determining whether campus will remain open during the power outage:
- Essential communication with students, families and staff can be maintained.
- Campus is safe and accessible to students, staff, families and emergency responders.
- Campus has functional restrooms.
- Fire safety can be maintained through operational alarms or a fire watch.
- Meals can be provided to students.
Please ensure that your child’s school has your most up-to-date contact information.
What can you do to prepare?
HECO has information on how to prepare for a PSPS, including an online form to sign up for emergency outage communications. Build an outage supply kit and prepare your home. Some tips include:
- Keep important phone numbers (emergency hotlines, hospital, doctor, relatives, etc.) where they can be easily found in an emergency
- Place flashlights and battery-powered lanterns in handy locations
- Install surge protectors to help safeguard electronic equipment
- Get acquainted with your home’s utility boxes and learn how to turn them off.
Again, please ensure that your child’s school has your most up-to-date contact information to know if and how the school may be impacted during a PSPS.
For more information on PSPS, call Hawaiian Electric’s hotline at 1-844-483-8666 toll-free or go to hawaiianelectric.com/PSPS.