Don’t let go of balloons during graduation season!
by Michael Choe | May 3, 2023
I remember when I graduated college, my neck and shoulders were covered with lei as I tried to maintain balance while various flowers leaned left, right, front, and back. If it wasn’t a lei that was gifted to me, it was a balloon: a shiny, helium-filled congratulatory balloon. I remember struggling to hold onto my balloons with so much going on. Fortunately, I had friends and family who were willing to help me out.
At the time, I was adamant about holding onto the balloons because I didn’t want them to become floating trash. Little did I know that metallic balloons cause a lot of trouble when they contact power lines.
Metallic balloons are made of materials that are conductive to electricity. When they float away into power lines, they can cause a short circuit which leads to power outages or in some cases downed lines and fires. As of January 1, 2023, intentional outdoor releases of helium-filled balloons were made illegal in Hawaii. However, that doesn’t mean accidents can’t happen. Here are some quick tips to ensure that your balloons don’t fly into trouble.
- Always attach a small weight to the end of the string that holds the balloon.
- Only use non-metallic string and make sure it’s secured to the balloon.
- Avoid tying balloons together. If you must have a cluster of balloons, make sure each one is individually tied to a weight.
- Make sure to properly dispose of metallic balloons. Even if they’re deflated, winds can pick them up and blow them into power lines.
If you see a metallic balloon caught in a power line, the worst thing you can do is to try and remove it yourself. Don’t try to be a hero! Instead, leave it alone and report the specific location to one of our 24/7 trouble lines:
Oahu: 1–855–304–1212
Maui: 808–871–7777
Molokai and Lanai: 1–877–871–8461 (toll free)
Hawaii Island: 808–969–6666
Congratulations to all the 2023 graduates!
Michael Choe is a digital communications and social media specialist at Hawaiian Electric.
