, saying the utility negligently failed to shut off power despite exceptionally high winds and dry conditions.
The lawsuit said the destruction could have been avoided and that the utility had a duty "to properly maintain and repair the electric transmission lines, and other equipment including utility poles associated with their transmission of electricity, and to keep vegetation properly trimmed and maintained so as to prevent contact with overhead power lines and other electric equipment".
With downed power lines, police or utility crews blocking some roads, traffic ground to a standstill along Lahaina's Front Street. Crews are also painstakingly searching for remains among the ashes of destroyed businesses and multistory residential buildings. Hawaiian Electric is a for-profit, investor-owned, publicly traded utility that serves 95 per cent of Hawaii's electric customers.