The Change
Hawaiian Electric officially ended its Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) watch on February 19, 2026, at 7 a.m. This cancellation signifies that the immediate threat of weather conditions necessitating widespread power outages for public safety has diminished. The utility had been monitoring potential high-wind and dry conditions that could increase wildfire risk and lead to preemptive de-energization of power lines.
Who's Affected
While the immediate risk has passed, the potential for future PSPS events remains a concern for various sectors in Hawaii.
- Small Business Operators: Businesses reliant on consistent electricity, such as restaurants, retail stores, and service providers, can resume normal operations without the imminent threat of power disruption. This alleviates immediate concerns about spoiled inventory, loss of operational capacity, and staffing challenges related to unforeseen outages. However, preparedness for future advisories is crucial.
- Real Estate Owners: Property managers and owners can relax immediate concerns about tenants experiencing power disruptions. This also reduces the short-term pressure to implement or test backup power solutions for commercial or residential buildings. Ongoing monitoring is advised as weather patterns evolve.
- Tourism Operators: Hotels, resorts, and hospitality businesses can assure guests of uninterrupted service. The cancellation avoids potential impacts on guest comfort, essential services (like HVAC, lighting, and kitchens), and online booking systems that could be affected by power outages. Future weather watches may still require contingency planning for visitor communication and operational continuity.
- Agriculture & Food Producers: Farms and food processing facilities often have critical temperature-sensitive operations or machinery that cannot be easily shut down. The cancellation of the PSPS watch removes the immediate threat of potential crop spoilage or interruption to cold storage and production lines. However, long-term weather monitoring remains essential for agricultural planning.
- Healthcare Providers: Clinics, private practices, and telehealth services depend heavily on reliable power for patient care, medical equipment, and communication systems. The end of the PSPS watch removes the immediate risk of critical service interruptions. Maintaining emergency backup power plans, however, continues to be a vital aspect of healthcare operations in Hawaii.
Second-Order Effects
Although the immediate threat has subsided, the underlying conditions that trigger PSPS watches highlight Hawaii's vulnerability to extreme weather. Each PSPS watch, even if canceled, represents a potential disruption that can impact the fragile island economy. A sustained period of PSPS events, or even frequent warnings, could lead to:
Elevated business operating costs (due to backup generation, inventory loss, or extended downtime) → Reduced profit margins for small businesses → Decreased consumer spending due to higher local prices → Potential out-migration of small businesses or delayed expansion, impacting overall economic diversification and resilience. In the tourism sector, frequent or prolonged outages can damage Hawaii's reputation for reliability, leading to reduced visitor numbers and subsequent revenue loss.
What to Do
While the immediate threat has passed, businesses and organizations should adopt a stance of continued vigilance.
- Small Business Operators: Review your business continuity and emergency preparedness plans for power outages. Ensure backup power solutions (generators, battery storage) are maintained and tested. Familiarize yourself with Hawaiian Electric's communication channels for future weather advisories. Monitor local weather forecasts regularly, especially during periods of high wind or dry conditions.
- Real Estate Owners: Ensure tenant communication protocols for weather emergencies are up-to-date. Verify that any emergency backup power systems for critical infrastructure (e.g., elevators, common area lighting) are functioning correctly. Understand the maintenance schedules for any such systems.
- Tourism Operators: Update your guest communication strategies regarding potential service disruptions due to weather. Ensure front-line staff are trained on emergency procedures. Review contracts with third-party service providers (e.g., shuttle services, tour operators) for clauses related to weather-induced cancellations.
- Agriculture & Food Producers: Assess the vulnerability of your operations to short-term power interruptions. Invest in or maintain backup power for critical equipment such as irrigation pumps, refrigeration, and processing machinery. Develop robust inventory management strategies to minimize loss during potential outages.
- Healthcare Providers: Regularly audit and test backup power systems, including generators and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), ensuring they meet critical medical load requirements. Confirm that emergency contact lists for staff and regulatory bodies are current. Participate in community-wide emergency preparedness drills if available.
Watch: Monitor Hawaiian Electric's advisories and local weather forecasts for any renewed indications of high-wind or dry conditions that could lead to future PSPS watches. Pay attention to the duration and frequency of any future weather advisories issued by Hawaiian Electric or the National Weather Service.
Trigger Condition: If a new PSPS watch is issued by Hawaiian Electric, immediately activate your business continuity plans, communicate with staff and customers, and secure critical operations. Preemptively check fuel levels for generators and ensure backup communication systems are operational before any potential grid de-energization.
