Hawaiian Electric expands Hawaii Island drone inspections for wildfire safety

Hawaiian Electric expands Hawaii Island drone inspections for wildfire safety

Release Date: 10/20/2026

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HILO, Oct. 20, 2026 - Hawaiian Electric is expanding drone inspections of its electrical infrastructure in identified wildfire risk areas on Hawaii Island. Unmanned aircrafts, or drones, play a critical role in the inspection process and the technology enables Hawaiian Electric to more quickly identify issues to prevent or lessen the risk of wildfires.

Asplundh Engineering Services has been contracted to conduct drone inspections alongside the company's own staff. Inspections will be conducted weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., subject to weather conditions. On rare occasions, crews may return to an area on a weekend to complete or repeat an inspection that could not be finished during the week. Personnel will drive Hawaiian Electric or Asplundh-marked vehicles. If on foot, the drone operator will wear an Asplundh hard hat and vest. All personnel will carry a Hawaiian Electric employee or contractor identification badge.

Inspections will begin in South Kona and Waimea this week and continue through November 2026. 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.

Please call Hawaiian Electric at 855-304-9191 or Asplundh at 909-816-6496 for questions.

Drone inspections also are being conducted in other areas by contractor Cyberhawk.

The Hawaiian Electric Unmanned Aerial Systems program is in full compliance with all Federal Aviation Administration 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.