Hawaiian Electric

We have begun deploying a network of high-resolution video cameras using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to provide enhanced situational awareness and early detection of ignitions in elevated fire risk areas near company infrastructure. The public will also have access to the live feeds from any of the cameras. Our crews recently installed the first camera station in Lahaina and has plans to deploy a total of 78 stations in elevated fire risk areas on the five islands served by the company, with each location having two cameras to provide a full 360-degree view. The camera feeds will be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The $14 million project is the latest step in our ongoing effort to reduce the risk of wildfires associated with company equipment. “We are continuing to take action to address the growing risks from wildfires across our service territory using a variety of technologies and methods,” said Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president and chief operations officer. “Installing publicly viewable AI-assisted video cameras in elevated fire risk areas will enable the company, fire agencies, and emergency operations centers the ability to identify potential wildfires early and respond quickly.” We have signed a five-year contract with California-based ALERTWest. 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. It was developed by ALERTWest in collaboration with UC San Diego’s ALERTCalifornia team, California utilities, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). ALERTWest also recently partnered with the University of Oregon and the University of Nevada, Reno, creating the largest publicly available, interoperable, AI wildfire detection system in the United States. The system is assisted by AI to detect smoke and other early indications of fire in real time, day and night. This allows first responders and emergency personnel to cross state boundaries in mutual aid situations and have access to the tool when needed.The AI Solution was recognized as one of TIME’s best inventions of 2023. The public will be able to access the live feeds from any of the cameras on the ALERTWest website at https://alertwest.live/. 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. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dS3s8cBc

At Kaala Farm in Waianae Valley, they are not just restoring culture but also combating the invasive species that pose a threat for wildfires.   In 2018, when a wildfire spread through Waianae Valley, those on Kaala Farm were trapped. And while the fire destroyed much of the area and burnt their hale to the ground, the loi remained untouched, surrounded by native plants. It was the safest place amidst the large blaze.   Invasive species cover much of Waianae Valley, and become dry in the summer, meaning it is the perfect fuel for a wildfire and poses a threat to the community below. If the area catches fire, it also has the potential to burn Waianae’s water source, and the forest, which holds water and protects against flooding when there are heavy rains in the winter. Kaala Farm not only restores native plants, but also uses sheep to help clear the brush in a gentle way that stimulates regrowth of the land. These actions are to reduce the available fuel sources for a fire to start and spread across the valley.   Eric Enos, executive director of Kaala Farm, and AK, Kaala Farm supervisor, are continuing to try new methods to protect their farm, Waianae Valley’s resources, and the community, and are hoping to implement and spread the knowledge of these fire reduction tactics to other areas of Hawaii.   Video credit: Malama Learning Center

Mahalo to this group of employees for spreading aloha at The Institute for Human Services, Inc. men’s shelter last Tuesday, July 9, 2024. They served meals during dinner time on Oahu.

Lulu was ever so patient with Shannon Tangonan, our senior communications specialist, as she used a pink dog polish pen to paint about eight nails on her pretty white paws. It may not have been "dog salon" quality, but it complemented the floral sundress her mom made for her and she was unfazed. After all, she was one of Shannon’s first pawdicure customers. On Saturday, July 6, 2024, 40 Hawaiian Electric employees volunteered at Pawʻina 2024, an event organized by Guide Dogs of Hawaii , which has served the blind and visually impaired since 1955. The Pawʻina highlighted how guide dogs help the visually impaired and blind lead more independent and productive lives. In essence, guide dogs help keep their humans safe. At Hawaiian Electric, safety is our no. 1 priority. So when we urge customers to prepare for emergencies, it extends to their pets as well - canine, feline or otherwise. While you're gathering canned goods and non-perishable foods for the humans in your household, make sure you have backup pet food as well. Emergency management officials have recommended two weeks of food and water for each household member - and that should include your pet(s). Other important pet preparations: • Have a “go” bag ready with a collar, ID tag, harness, leash, treats, toys and other important items. • Ensure you have a safe way to transport your pet, which could include a carrier or kennel. Don’t forget towels, blankets or a pet bed so they can sleep comfortably. • If your pet has medications, remember to have a backup supply, enough for at least two weeks. • Assemble a pet first-aid kit. If you didn't make it to the Pawʻina, there are still ways to support Guide Dogs of Hawaii, which offers free services for the blind. Visit guidedogsofhawaii.org to support the nonprofit. Learn more about Pawʻina and pet emergency preparedness in our latest blog post at https://lnkd.in/ghSw2beT.

Congratulations to our Director of Substation and Meter Miles Nagato and the rest of the Cohort 8 for completing American Savings Bank's Leadership Academy Program! The year-long program was designed to give high-performing, high-potential team members a deeper understanding of #leadership, professional skills and #banking. This group of leaders met once a month to experience engaging coursework, team-building exercises, interactive executive sessions and more. Photo credit: American Savings Bank

Happy National Lineworker Appreciation Day! Kawehi Sablan, an April 2024 lineman graduate on Oahu, shared his experience with our lineman apprenticeship program. Our #lineman apprenticeship program is unique. We pay apprentices for their education and training during their time in the program and cover costs for any material and/or equipment. When you're accepted into the program, you're already considered as an employee. In other states, you'll need to complete an apprenticeship on your own dime before being able to apply for a lineman position at a utility. Essentially, you're paid while you learn as a lineman apprentice at Hawaiian Electric. We train our linemen using the same resources as Northwest Lineman College, a top-tier and recognized educational institution in our industry. You will start as a "Senior Helper" and will be required to complete 6,000 combined hours of hands-on and on-the-job work experience. In addition, you'll also need to complete 750 hours of classroom training. Afterwards, you'll graduate and be promoted to a lineman. The program takes a novice through four different "processes." Each process qualifies you to do certain types of electrical work. Process 1 teaches you how to climb and use your equipment and tools. Process 2 qualifies you to do "hot" (or energized) low voltage work, which is more commonly done for homes and businesses. Process 3 will qualify you to work on hot primary and secondary lines, which can go up to 12,000 volts. Those are the lines you see on top of utility poles. Process 4 focuses on transmission lines, which are found in the mountains and those go up to 138,000 volts. You can expect the lines to stay hot during training. Being a lineman is dangerous job so there’s plenty of training and education required. Read our latest Medium blog to learn more about the lineman apprenticeship program at https://t.co/W4afHmGfje. Make sure to thank your local lineman and let them know they are appreciated. They make a lot of sacrifices to keep the lights on. Edison Electric Institute International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Local 1260)

Watch this video provided by Malama Learning Center to learn more on how sheep can lessen #wildfire risks. Shermaih “Bulla” Iaea, a retired firefighter, spent most of his 28-year career at the Waianae fire station. In 2018, Bulla and his wife were trapped on their six-acre farm when a wildfire furiously spread through the Waianae Valley. He saw firsthand at the level of devastation a wildfire can cause and lost 36 mango trees, 4 or 5 lychee trees and his entire aquaculture business. Bulla focuses his time on reducing the ‘fuel’ to potential wildfires. In addition to cutting down the trees in the wildland urban interface (zone that transitions from wilderness to human activity) that surrounds his community, he aims to reduce the grass using sheep. Sheep love to eat grass. It’s a simple way to reduce the fuel rather than constantly maintaining the area with a lawnmower.

There are so many great local coffee shops in the Chinatown and downtown Honolulu area, and today we are highlighting Alii Coffee Company! Alii Coffee Company is a local specialty coffee shop and roastery in Honolulu. They have expanded to three stores including Waikiki and Ward, but their original location is in downtown Honolulu, where they roast all their coffees which are sourced from all over the world. One of their customer favorites is their ube latte, which is a vibrant purple color with delicious flavor! But, in addition to specialty coffees, they also offer breakfast items and freshly made sandwiches. Plus, they serve high-quality matcha lattes including their recently added strawberry and mango matcha lattes, which joined their menu just in time for summer! Visit Ali‘i Coffee Co. at 35 S. Beretania Street in Downtown Honolulu, between Fort Street and Bethel Street. Let’s continue to spread aloha to the businesses and restaurants in the Chinatown and downtown Honolulu area! Music: Misses by Dominic Fike

“Emergency preparedness and management is a community effort. With the increase in severe weather conditions and our changing climate, it's even more important that we work together to grow our resilience.” In a new blog post, Alyssa Okamura, from our digital communications team, reflects on her experience at Hawaiian Electric’s Wildfire Safety Symposium, held this past April in Hilo. Wildfire safety experts from utilities, agencies, research institutes and the state were invited to this two-day technical symposium to focus on reducing Hawaii’s wildfire risk by sharing insights about collective actions to keep our communities safe and discussing immediate to long-term strategies for both safety and grid resilience. Panel discussions featured wildfire experts from around the world, with representatives from California, Australia, and Puerto Rico. Each of these organizations is at a different stage of wildfire safety planning and offered advice and insights from their own experiences. Everyone was willing to share and learn from one another. The symposium was a space to collaborate and served as a platform for curiosity and clarification. When it comes to the safety of our customers and community, it was about uplifting each other so that everyone could keep their people safe. “I also became more aware of how challenging the planning process for wildfire safety protocols and a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program can be,” writes Alyssa. “Everyone — residents, businesses, emergency responders, water companies, telecommunications providers − will be impacted and that’s why it is so important to work together to prepare.” Read the full blog at https://lnkd.in/g7EXcdKQ View the Wildfire Safety Symposium presentation slides and event program, at https://lnkd.in/gUQ4-YpD.

As we continue to spread aloha to the small businesses and restaurants in the Chinatown and downtown Honolulu area who were impacted by the recent power outages, today we want to highlight Strode Montessori Pre-School! Strode Montessori focuses on early education for children ages six weeks to six years old. Pamela Strode, the owner and director of Strode Montessori, emphasizes that a Montessori education caters to each individual child, allowing them to learn in a way that fits their independent needs and interests. Strode Montessori Pre-School welcomes applications for enrollment at any time of the year. To learn more, visit: strodemontessori.com