Lahaina- HECO Out OF The Fire, Will Maui Government Replace Them And Be Sued?

As I discussed in yesterdays post the ramifications of HECO’s claim that Lahaina/West Maui energy grid being deenergized is enormous as it points to possible arson being involved, and also passes the liability for the damage onto the Maui Government

https://pete843.substack.com/p/criminal-negligence-by-the-banana

HECO said the Fire Department determined the fire was extinguished and that crews left the scene by 2 p.m. — which Fire Chief Brad Ventura also said in a statement last week to The New York Times.

Hawaiian Electric said emergency crews arriving at Lahainaluna Road in the afternoon to make repairs saw no fire, smoke or embers. Shortly before 3 p.m., crew members called 911 to report a small fire about 75 yards away from Lahainaluna Road in the field near Lahaina Intermediate.

The county reported the fire as a flareup at the time and closed the Lahaina Bypass around 3:30 p.m. HECO claims that by the time the fire broke out around 3 p.m., power had been out for more than six hours.

“There was no electricity flowing through the wires in the area or anywhere else on the West Maui coast,” the company said, adding that it told investigators with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that it has records to prove it.

“By the time the Maui County Fire Department arrived back on the scene, it was not able to contain the Afternoon Fire and it spread out of control toward Lahaina,” HECO said.

The second, more deadly afternoon fire destroyed most of Lahaina town. Residents filed multiple lawsuits blaming HECO for not shutting off the power, and the company’s stock dropped after Maui County also said HECO’s equipment was the cause of the deadly blaze.

“To the extent HECO has information of a second ignition source, HECO should offer that evidence now,” attorney John Fiske of Baron and Budd, one of the law firms representing the county in its lawsuit, said via email on Monday in response to HECO’s statement.

“The ultimate responsibility rests with HECO to de-energize, ensure its equipment and systems are properly maintained, and ensure downed power lines are not energized.”

https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2023/08/heco-takes-responsibility-for-first-lahaina-fire-but-not-second/

The morning fire which was contained but not fully extinguished and was left unattended by the MFD as the engine company (‘s) was sent out to help with downed but allegedly de-energized power lines at 3 pm.

The morning fire was on the Mauka side of the bypass,  but when the fire picked up due to increasing winds it supposedly blew embers across the bypass down hill which ignited and reached structures that provided the fuel for the resulting Fire Storm

This gives you a good idea

3;00 pm- Mauka Side Of Bypass

3:19 pm Fire Jumped to Makai (down hill-Ocean) side

Ladder 3 is the only Fire Truck Visible.

Dont see much action

Its going pretty good

Trying to get out

Dead End at 3:38 pm.

Eventually forced to abandon car and head south on foot

Walking to Bypass Road at 4:52 pm

That ain’t good.

Almost sunset

And

Ok, back to the analysis. With power lines de-energized, who we going to blame?

Its clear, MFD had not enough equipment to put this fire out and allowed it to become a BEAST.  Not blaming the Firefighters.  Its all on the Banana Republic Government running Maui.

I am guessing we are going to be hearing about a major suit against the Maui County Government for negligence , which might be a reason they seem to be suppressing the death count (having the Police Chief as Coroner helps)

Of course, an arsonist, could save the day for Maui Govt. They can call it Domestic Terrorism and might well be forgiven.  We might be hearing ATF chime in soon on this. Of course, the real arsonists , professional that they might be, working for certain beneficiaries , wont be found.  I don’t know for a fact there were arsonists, but I find the spread of the fire to such a great extent North to South suspicious.

I am going to end this with a Big Question.  Why did it take so long for HECO to tell us they de-energized the power lines?.  That means no power for anyone. It wouldn’t affect the Water Supply since they have Backup Generators, assuming they were operating , and seeing folks had water to spray their homes I guess they were.

If they announced this shortly after the fire I am guessing their stock would still be trading in the mid $30’s.

Bounced back a bit, but if it rebound close to $30 on the news those who bought low, perhaps knowing the grid was de-energized will make a bundle. SEC should look into this

I will end this here. Disregard below pic, I cant seem to delete it