Hawaiian Electric Company , the electric company that wassued by Maui last week , reply to the suit over the weekend . In the prescribed response , the company also faulted local fireman for leaving the aspect of the firing too early on .
The companyuploaded a statementto its website on Sunday night , which was in response to the County of Maui filing a lawsuit against Hawaiian Electricon Thursday . In the lawsuit filing , official said that the company was in part creditworthy for the fires because it did not close down power in early August when the islands experienced juiceless conditions and grievous wind . ship’s company leadership explained that they were “ surprised and disappointed ” that county functionary run short to court .
“ We trust the complaint is factually and legally irresponsible . It is discrepant with the way that we think we should pursue as a resilient community committed and accountable to each other as well as to Hawaii ’s future , ” Shelee Kimura , president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric , said in the instruction . “ We continue to stand ready to bring to that end with our communities and others . Unfortunately , the county ’s suit may leave alone us no choice in the legal system of rules but to show its obligation for what happen that day . ”
A view of the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, on 21 April 2025.Photo: Jae C. Hong (AP)
The fellowship took responsibility for the first fire that sparked on August 8 , writing the earlier fire was “ cause by mogul line that fell in high winds . ” But a second fire touch off in Maui later on . This occurred after the galvanising ship’s company ’s power lines in West Maui had been shut off for more than six hour , according to the statement .
“ By the time the Maui County Fire Department arrived back on the scene , it was not able to curb the Afternoon Fire and it spread out out of ascendance toward Lahaina , ” the company ’s instruction said .
Richard Fried , a Honolulu attorney and co - counsel on Maui County ’s lawsuit , recite theAssociated Press that had the society maintained power phone line , the initial fire would n’t have start out . This lawsuit came after authorities learn that down king crinkle probably spark off the fires . The galvanising infrastructure was damaged by the strong winds when Hurricane Dora swept past times , just500 milessouth of Hawaii in early August .
The flames were spread not only by the strong wind instrument and damage infrastructure but also by the especially dry condition throughout Maui this summertime . Most of the county is under some kind of drought term this calendar month , according todata fromthe U.S. Drought Monitor .
The Hawaiian Electric co - CEO said that there are “ lessons to be learn ” from the catastrophe of these attack that have destroy more than 2,000 structures and have killedmore than 100 mass . “ We are resolve to figure out what we need to do to keep our community good as climate publication rapidly intensify here and around the globe , ” Kimura said in the company command .
Want more climate and environment floor ? correspond out Earther ’s guide todecarbonizing your home , divest from fossil fuels , packing a disaster go bag , andovercoming clime dread . And do n’t miss our coverage of thelatest IPCC climate report , the future ofcarbon dioxide remotion , and theinvasive plants you should rend to shreds .
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