The tragedy of the Lahaina fire has highlighted the dangers of overhead electrical lines. Instead of figuring out how to put the lines underground (they say it’s too expensive), Hawaiian Electric has announced a new program called “Public Safety Power Shutoff,” or PSPS. They will now turn off the power to parts of my Oahu community whenever there is a high fire risk.
A few years back, a huge brush fire broke out that burned several acres in my neighborhood where I live and work. The cause remains unknown, but there have been many deliberately set fires in this area. I was incredibly lucky that while some properties suffered damage, nobody was hurt, and no homes were lost. I owe my good fortune to hosing down the roof, turning on all the lawn sprinklers, and doing other things that require, you know, electricity. After I returned home from evacuating, I had a lot of work to do. All exterior furnishings were melted, the place smelled awful, and it was covered in ashes and soot. Several of my large trees were still on fire.
My phone soon began ringing with calls from tenants asking for assistance. Some were upset at being reminded that their personal belongings were covered under their Renterʻs Insurance policy and that they would have to file their own claim. I was most surprised by a call from a young woman wanting to know when I would send people to remove the smoke smell from her apartment. I tried to explain that my property was still on fire, but I would do my best for her shortly. That was not good enough and she demanded that I immediately deliver bottles of citrus sprays (not the floral type – she didn’t like those). She would also require several lavender sachets for her closets and drawers. The next morning, I sent out a remediation company to assess all smoke-affected properties in our management program, and none of them required treatment.
Our hearts are with the people of Lahaina.
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