PUC Ongoing Investigations – Case No. 2024-01872

The Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) is dedicated to ensuring the safety and reliability of the state’s electric infrastructure by investigating the involvement of utility equipment in fire- and natural hazard-related incidents. The PUC assesses utility operations to understand how to reduce the risk of utility-involved ignitions.

Utility Reporting Requirements

Electric utilities are required report to the PUC any fire- or natural hazard-related incident that meets certain criteria. These reports help identify potential hazards within the electrical system.

Investigation Process: Ongoing Inquiries

The Hawaii PUC’s investigations are ongoing inquiries conducted through Information Requests to public utilities regarding reported incidents. These investigations are designed to:

  • Identify Causes: Determine the specific sequence of events and equipment operations that led to an ignition.
  • Assess Environmental Factors: Understand how broader conditions and risk drivers, such as weather and vegetation, increase the likelihood of incidents taking place.
  • Enhance Safety Measures: Gather data to understand the circumstances that contribute to ignitions, ensuring that utilities are properly directing risk mitigation investments.

Case No. 2024-01872

On January 23, 2024, the PUC opened Case No. 2024-01872 to investigate several significant events, including the Lahaina and Upcountry Maui Wildfires (8/8/23), the Mililani Mauka Fire (10/30/2023) and the Waianae Fire (11/14/2023). The investigations focus on the utility’s operations and equipment through Information Requests. Since the Commission’s issuance of revised accident reporting requirements in June 2025, the scope of the investigation has expanded to include any reportable fires. This repository of information serves as a starting point for the Commission to develop appropriate future regulatory actions.

Additional Resources

The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) and the Maui Fire Department (“MFD”) conducted a joint investigation into the cause and origin of the August 8, 2023 Lahaina Fire . As part of that investigation, ATF traveled to Maui and requested resources from the PUC, and the PUC dedicated staff resources to support ATF and MFD in their joint investigation.

Separately, the Department of the Attorney General conducted the Maui Wildfire Investigation for the purpose of reviewing state and county agencies’ response, retaining the Fire Safety Research Institute to conduct the investigation.

MORE INFORMATION

See related Commission pages:

Updated 4/2026