Maui News
KAHULUI – Hawaiian Electric has begun rolling out a network of high-definition video cameras using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to enhance situational awareness and early detection of fires in high-risk areas near the company's infrastructure. The public can also view live footage from the cameras.
Hawaiian Electric recently installed its first camera station in Lahaina and plans to install a total of 78 stations in high-fire risk areas across the five islands the company serves. Each station will be equipped with two cameras providing a full 360-degree view, and camera footage will be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The $14 million project is the latest step in Hawaiian Electric's ongoing efforts to reduce wildfire risks associated with its facilities.
“We continue to take steps to address the increased wildfire risk across our service territory using a variety of technologies and methods.” “Hawaiian Electric is pleased to announce this strategic partnership with NVIDIA to help deliver the power that we need today,” said Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric executive vice president and chief operating officer. “By placing publicly available, AI-assisted video cameras in high-fire risk areas, businesses, fire agencies and emergency response centers can identify potential wildfires earlier and respond faster.”
Hawaiian Electric signed a five-year contract with California-based ALERTWest, which will install and maintain the camera stations, as well as provide around-the-clock monitoring for potential ignitions with experienced wildfire safety experts. Approximately 50 percent of the project cost will be covered with federal funds allocated under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), estimated at $90 million in grant funding to cover a range of costs associated with Hawaiian Electric's resiliency and wildfire mitigation work. Hawaiian Electric will also realize cost savings by leveraging its existing communications network to provide communications support for the project.
Widely used in fire-prone areas of the Western US, ALERTWest's software platform uses AI to detect smoke and other early signs of fire in real time. ALERTWest has extensive experience working with utilities, including partnerships with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). The AI solution was recognized as one of TIME Magazine's Best Inventions of 2023.
The software platform's pan, tilt, and zoom cameras constantly scan the surrounding area, completing a 360-degree scan every two minutes. Leveraging AI, the system detects changes from previous images and highlights them on-screen with a red rectangular box. This, combined with 24/7 human verification, helps eliminate false alarms caused by fog or dust. If a suspected fire is detected, staff at the ALERTWest Operations Center review the camera images to ensure there is sufficient visual evidence before notifying Hawaiian Electric and emergency response agencies.
The public can view live footage from any of the cameras on the ALERTWest website at www.alertwest.org. Half of the video camera stations are expected to be operational by September 2024, with the remainder to be installed in early 2025.
Interviews with Hawaiian Electric and ALERTWest officials, as well as video of the Lahaina video camera installation, can be viewed here. “Hawaiian Electric”
