Hawaiian Electric

As we celebrate our 133rd anniversary today, Ian Brizdle, our manager for web and digital communications, reflects on how our support for electric vehicles goes back decades and even continues today. In a new blog post, Ian shares his experience growing up in the transportation business, starting when his father, John Brizdle, and business partner Roger Watson, founded E Noa Tours in 1974. “In 1993, E Noa Tours and Hawaiian Electric participated with the Hawaii Electric Vehicle Demonstration Project (part of DBEDT), which was funded by a federal DARPA grant to stimulate private development of electric vehicles,” writes Ian. “At one point in the mid 90’s, E Noa Tours with the help of Hawaiian Electric operated one of the largest electric people movers in the state with classic style.” Read the full blog at: https://lnkd.in/gEB5YnZQ

As we approach our 133rd anniversary tomorrow, Oct. 13, 2024, we’re celebrating by pulling old photos “From The Vault” to share with everyone! Here’s a picture of the Alakea Power Plant. The power plant was placed into service in 1894 after an increased demand for service in Waikiki! That same year, the power line to Waikiki was completed across the swamps, rice fields and duck ponds. To learn about our company’s history, visit: https://lnkd.in/gcR8qZvZ

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month! This month-long initiative helps educate and empower individuals and businesses to protect their data from cyber threats. There are simple ways to protect yourself online. Always protect your information with a strong password that’s long, unique to each account and complex (combine upper- and lower-case letters with numbers and special characters). You can use a password manager to help you store and generate new and secure passwords. You should always enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) when available. MFAs is a cybersecurity measure that requires anyone logging into an account to prove their identity through a different channel. It is essential to learn how to recognize and avoid phishing schemes. Phishing is when criminals use fake emails, social media posts or direct messages to extract personal information from you. Lastly, make sure your apps and software are always updated with the latest security features. Everyone’s information is easily accessible through the internet. You can never be too careful in protecting yourself online.

Our 133rd anniversary is on Sunday, October 13th! Here’s another photo “From The Vault” to celebrate! The building pictured, located at 223 South King Street, was our second King Street building. It was leased in 1901 to provide additional space for offices and showrooms. In a past blog, Estee Manfredi, our corporate librarian, shares that although our building on the corner of King, Richards, and Merchant Street is often mistaken for our first building, it is not our first office. Our very first office was a one-story brick building at 186 South King Street and we leased it from 1891-1927! Read the full blog at: https://lnkd.in/gDjqfm3E To learn about our company’s history, visit: https://lnkd.in/gcR8qZvZ

As part of our ongoing wildfire safety strategy, we are using unmanned aircrafts, or drones, for aerial inspections of our electrical infrastructure in identified wildfire risk areas on Hawaii Island, Maui County and Oahu. The drones play a critical role in the inspection process and the technology enables us to more quickly identify issues to prevent or lessen the risk of wildfires. On Hawaii Island, we have contracted with @Osmose Utilities Services, Inc. to conduct drone inspections, alongside our staff. Inspections typically will be conducted Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If necessary, inspections occasionally may be conducted on Sunday. Personnel will drive Hawaiian Electric or Osmose marked company vehicles. If on foot, the drone operator will wear a Hawaiian Electric or Osmose company-branded hard hat and vest. All personnel will carry a Hawaiian Electric contractor or employee identification badge. The inspections are performed at the poles and power lines, and no one will request to enter a home or business. There may be instances where the operator must enter private property, like a yard, to access a utility pole. In these instances, the operator will make their presence known before accessing equipment located on private property. Electric service will not be impacted. For questions about this work, contact us at 808-969-6999 or our contractor Osmose at 559-515-3840 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hawaii standard time. The Hawaiian Electric Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program is in full compliance and protection of all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and has developed safety, training, operating, and privacy procedures to make sure the unmanned aircraft are flown with the highest regard for the safety of the public and crews. Drones performing scheduled flights in support of utility and infrastructure projects are regulated by the FAA. Tampering with or damaging drone equipment or interfering with drone operations could be subject to federal enforcement or citing.

In a recent blog post, Shannon Tangonan, a senior communications specialist at Hawaiian Electric, reflects on her experience regularly covering wildfires in Southern California as a public safety reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune. From this exposure, Shannon urges customers who live in fire-prone areas across the five islands we serve — especially in Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)-designated zones — to not only be ready for power outages, but to remove the dry vegetation that fuels wildfires. “It’s also critical that proactive measures are taken to remove fuel sources to keep communities safe from wildfires,” writes Shannon. “That’s why Hawaiian Electric is partnering with organizations to strengthen community resilience. Most recently, we cleared a 1,000-foot firebreak along the fence line at Leihoku Elementary in Waianae.” Learn more about our Wildfire Safety Strategy at: https://lnkd.in/gV46HnHV Read more:https://lnkd.in/g3QUFsek

Our 133rd anniversary is on Sunday, October 13th! To celebrate, we are pulling old photos “From The Vault” to share a bit of our history with everyone! Here’s a picture of our early trucks used to repair equipment and deliver materials. These trucks were key to ensuring service to our customers! To learn about our company’s history, visit: https://lnkd.in/gcR8qZvZ

Thank you to those who stopped by Drive Electric Hawaii's event this past Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Pearlridge Center! At this event, our employees shared information on electric vehicles (EVs), and attendees had the opportunity to speak with many other EV experts, test drive EVs, and win fun prizes! Learn more about EVs at: hawaiianelectric.com/goev Stay updated on upcoming EV events in Hawaii by visiting: driveelectrichi.com Music: Burning Love by Elvis Presley with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Thank you to our employees on Oahu who volunteered at The Institute for Human Services, Inc.'s men’s shelter on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024! They helped the kitchen staff plate and serve hot meals to those residing in their facility.

Hawaii Island residents: This Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, join us at the Waimea Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Waimea District Park. We will be sharing emergency preparedness tips and more information about our Wildfire Safety Strategy including our Public Safety Power Shutoff or PSPS program! Stop by to enjoy keiki games, food vendors, and live entertainment! For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/gu_yhDvD Photo credit: Waimea Athletics