HI HB2169

Prohibits construction of new overhead high-voltage electric transmission lines (46 kilovolt or greater) in Hawaii.

Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to submit a report to the Public Utilities Commission identifying areas of the State with the highest wildfire risk.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to direct public utilities to underground all existing overhead high-voltage electric transmission lines, with utilities owning multiple lines prioritizing undergrounding in high-wildfire-risk areas.

Requires public hearings by the Public Utilities Commission before approval of any new overhead high-voltage electric transmission lines through residential areas.

Updates Hawaii Revised Statutes section 269-27.5 and 269-27.6 to reflect the new prohibition on overhead construction and the undergrounding requirements.