Customer Service

Frequently Asked Questions

The following LCQ contractors may be available for hire on Oahu.  Please contact them directly to discuss the work:

Asplundh Tree Expert Co. - (808) 254-1322
The Davey Tree Surgery Company - (808) 845-0945
Trees of Hawaii - (808) 842-0474

The above list of LCQ tree trimming contractors is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute an endorsement of any specific contractor. Hawaiian Electric is in no way associated with any of the above contractors. Hawaiian Electric has no control over third party tree trimming services and Hawaiian Electric does not guarantee the fitness or quality of any work performed by any of the above listed LCQ contractors, and we do recommend that customers obtain written quotes from licensed and insured LCQ contractors for any tree trimming work performed near power lines.

At the time of pruning for the overhead electrical conductors our contract tree crews are required to attain sufficient clearance to last through the next routine prune. Your refusal to allow us to achieve a sufficient clearance to maintain compliance will jeopardize public safety and electric reliability. Additionally, if a customer does not allow access to our tree crews for this required work, we consider that a refusal.

Someone at your property indicated that they would rather hire their own contractor to perform the tree clearance work. Additionally, If a customer does not allow access to our tree crews for this required work, we consider that a refusal. The letter was sent to express our concerns and explain the dangers and liability of hiring your own contractor. Additionally, if a customer does not allow access to our tree crews for this required work, we consider that a refusal.

While we can frequently prune trees to re-direct growth away from the power lines, this is not possible with Palm trees once they are within 10 feet of the high voltage lines. Palm trees within 10 feet can be a frequent source of outages in your community during storms and wind events. Our arborists have determined that the pruning required will be below the center initiating growth and the palm will probably die.

We offer two options for our customers when palms are within 10 feet of the high voltage lines:

  • Hawaiian Electric will remove the tree as close to the ground as practical. The stump will not be ground.
  • Hawaiian Electric will prune or top the palm tree (leaving the wood at the site) to make it safe for your contractor to complete the removal.

A palm may be moved by the owner before it is with-in 10ft of the high voltage power lines.