Hawaii Utility Chief to Testify in Congress Over Deadly Maui Fire

Kimura testifies wires had been turned off six hours prior
‘We are working tirelessly to figure out what happened’: CEO

Shelee Kimura delivers a speech during a press conference following the deadly wildfires in Kahului, Hawaii, on Aug. 14.Photographer: Etienne Laurent/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Ari Natter and Mark Chediak

September 27, 2023 at 8:56 PM UTC

Updated on

September 28, 2023 at 2:48 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Hawaiian Electric Co.’s chief executive officer told Congress Thursday that the deadly Lahaina wildfire wasn’t the company’s fault, adding that it may take 12 to 18 months to understand the cause.

During a hearing before House lawmakers, Shelee Kimura testified the company wasn’t to blame for the blaze that killed at least 97 people last month. Although an earlier fire on Maui that same day was caused by downed power lines, Kimura said it’s still not clear what started the so-called “Afternoon Fire” that broke out several hours later.