Hawaiian Electric’s proposed rebates for backup batteries and generators are an important step toward addressing the vulnerability of residents in wildfire-prone zones, especially on Maui, where frequent power failures and “safety” outages have made the need for accessible backup power clear. Extended electrical disruptions hit our low-income, senior and medically vulnerable neighbors hardest. Yet personal experience and extensive community engagement show that a successful backup energy program requires more than just equipment. It also takes hands-on education, technical support and peer guidance to succeed.

Furthermore, on the neighbor islands, residents pay into programs that often do not reach us due to workforce gaps or shipping constraints — and when benefits are available, they te

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