Hawaii Wildfires: Lawsuits and Petitions Surrounding Power Lines and Water Allocation

Bare and uninsulated power lines in Hawaii may have caused the recent wildfires, as videos and images analyzed by the Associated Press revealed that the wires were among miles of line left exposed to the weather and foliage by Hawaiian Electric Co. Many of the utility's wooden power poles were also in poor condition and did not meet national standards for withstanding high winds. Hawaiian Electric is now facing lawsuits and criticism for not shutting off power during high wind warnings. In contrast, utilities in California have been insulating and burying their lines to prevent wildfires. Experts emphasize the need for utilities to better prepare for extreme weather conditions to prevent devastating fires.