By Benjamin Finnerty (S), REALTOR® (RS-83812) with Keller Williams Realty Maui · Kīhei, Maui · 808-481-9748

Quick Answer: Hawaiian Electric’s Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program, launched July 1, 2024, can cut power in high-wildfire-risk areas of West Maui, Upcountry and parts of Central and South Maui during strong winds and low humidity. In 2026 it was used in West Maui on Feb. 9 and in Pukalani on Sept. 27, during Hurricane Nolo’s winds.

I’m Benjamin Finnerty, a REALTOR® in Kīhei with Keller Williams Realty Maui, and Maui power shutoffs are something newcomers rarely ask about until the first one happens. If you’re relocating or buying a home here, it’s worth knowing whether an address falls in a PSPS area, how the program works and what you can do to prepare. Here’s what Hawaiian Electric and recent events show.

What is a Public Safety Power Shutoff on Maui?

A PSPS is a planned, temporary power shutoff that Hawaiian Electric uses to lower the risk that its equipment starts a wildfire. The utility activates it only when weather data, including National Weather Service statements, points to heightened wildfire risk, such as strong winds, low humidity and dry vegetation, according to Hawaiian Electric.

The program started July 1, 2024. Its initial Maui areas were West Maui, Upcountry, and parts of Central and South Maui, covering more than 25,000 Maui customers, according to Hawaiian Electric and Maui Now. The utility has said it plans to expand the program to all high-risk areas it serves.

When does Hawaiian Electric shut off power?

During the February 2026 event, Maui Now reported the utility’s criteria as wind gusts of 45 mph or higher and relative humidity below 45%. Power comes back only after gusts drop below 45 mph and humidity rises above 45% for at least two hours, and after crews inspect the lines, which happens in daylight. Restoration can take hours or, in some cases, days.

Hawaiian Electric aims to give 24 to 48 hours of notice, but says sudden changes in conditions can mean little or no warning.

Has Maui had power shutoffs in 2026?

Yes, twice that I could confirm in news coverage this year:

Date	Area	What happened
Mon., Feb. 9, 2026	West Maui	About 8:30 p.m., Hawaiian Electric shut off power to about 1,200 remaining West Maui customers under PSPS, after an earlier wind-related outage affected about 8,800. All PSPS circuits were re-energized by 7 p.m. Feb. 10.
Sun., Sept. 27, 2026	Pukalani	Hawaiian Electric shut off power in Pukalani as a precaution during Hurricane Nolo’s high winds and dry conditions. Power was restored by 4:30 p.m. that day.

Sources: Maui Now (Feb. 10-11, 2026); Hawaii News Now (Sept. 28-29, 2026); Star-Advertiser (Sept. 27, 2026).

Separately, about 10,000 West Maui customers lost power from Hurricane Nolo storm damage in late September. That was a storm outage, not a PSPS, but it’s a reminder that West Maui can lose power for more than one reason.

How do I check if a Maui home is in a PSPS area?

Use Hawaiian Electric’s searchable PSPS map at hawaiianelectric.com/pspsmaps. You enter an address and it shows whether the property is in or near a PSPS area. Hawaiian Electric notes that some borders may not be exact, so if you’re close to a zone, plan as if you’re in it.

I’d add this lookup to the same checklist as tsunami zones, flood zones and wildfire exposure. My guides to checking Maui tsunami evacuation zones and Makawao homes and Upcountry wildfire risk cover the others.

How can I prepare for a power shutoff on Maui?

Plan for being without power for a day or more:

• Keep your contact information current with Hawaiian Electric and download its mobile app for alerts.
• If anyone in your home relies on medical equipment or refrigerated medication, submit Hawaiian Electric’s Medical Needs Communications Form at hawaiianelectric.com/PSPS and talk with your doctor or pharmacist about a backup plan.
• Ask about backup power. Most grid-tied solar systems without battery storage shut down when the grid goes down. If a home has solar, ask whether it includes a battery and what it powers. My post on the Hawaiʻi solar tax credit covers incentives.
• Know your water setup. Homes on catchment systems with electric pumps lose water pressure when the power is out.
• Save the numbers: Hawaiian Electric’s PSPS hotline is 1-844-483-8666, and the Maui County trouble line is 1-855-304-8181.

My Take: What I’m Telling Buyers and People Moving to Maui

A PSPS area isn’t a reason to rule out a home, but it is part of understanding the property. When I walk a property with a buyer, I look at the water meter, how close it is to vacant land parcels, the general condition of the surrounding area, and the roads into and out of the area. Those same things matter on a high-wind day: dry vacant land nearby, a single road out, and a water system that depends on electricity all shape how a shutoff or a fire would affect you.

My practical steps: look up the address on the PSPS map before you write an offer, and ask the seller whether the home has a generator, battery or other backup and get the details in writing. On whether to add backup power, I generally look at the overall cost and do a cost-benefit analysis with buyers. For many buyers, the math doesn’t support adding an alternative power source, but for some, solar panels and batteries, combined with state incentives such as Hawaiʻi’s solar tax credit, can make sense over the long term (confirm tax credit eligibility with a CPA). If you’re renting first, ask the landlord the same questions. None of this shows up in listing photos, which is exactly why it’s worth asking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which areas of Maui can have Public Safety Power Shutoffs?

Hawaiian Electric’s initial Maui PSPS areas are West Maui, Upcountry, and parts of Central and South Maui. Check a specific address at hawaiianelectric.com/pspsmaps.

How much warning will I get before a PSPS?

Hawaiian Electric aims for 24 to 48 hours, but sudden conditions can mean little or no notice.

How long do Maui power shutoffs last?

Power stays off while conditions are hazardous, then crews inspect lines in daylight before restoring service. The Feb. 9, 2026, West Maui shutoff lasted until the next evening; the Sept. 27 Pukalani shutoff ended that afternoon.

Will my solar panels keep the lights on during a shutoff?

Usually not, unless the system includes battery storage designed to run during an outage. Confirm with the installer or seller.

Ask Benjamin

Moving to Maui or looking at a home in West Maui, Upcountry or South Maui? I’m Benjamin Finnerty, and I’m glad to help you check PSPS areas, hazard zones and backup power before you commit. Call or text me at 808-481-9748 or email benjamin@the808team.com.

Sources: Hawaiian Electric (PSPS program launch, July 1, 2024; searchable PSPS maps); Maui Now (May 29, 2024; Feb. 10-11, 2026); Hawaii News Now (Sept. 28-29, 2026); Star-Advertiser (Sept. 27, 2026).