Pu’ukoli’i Substation Fire Causes $1 Million Damage

Fire at Pu’ukolii Substation in West Maui 12/4/12.  Maui Now photo.

By Wendy Osher

(Update: 1:40 p.m. 12/4/12)

Fire officials estimate damage to a Mobile Transformer burned in a morning fire at the Maui Electric Company’s Pu’ukoli’i Substation at one million dollars.

Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga said the fire was reported at 6:36 a.m. on Pu’ukoli’i Road.

The fire resulted in a power outage for much of the Ka’anapali resort area.  MECO officials said electrical service has since been restored to remaining customers in Pu’ukoli’i as of 12:59 p.m.

On arrival, crews from Engine-3 reported that a Mobile Transformer within the MECO sub-station was on fire.  Crews from Engine-3, Ladder-3, and Tanker-3 had the fire contained and extinguished by 7:45 a.m.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire was undetermined, said Mainaga.

Maui Electric Company apologized for any inconvenience the situation may have caused and thanked customers for their patience and understanding.

(Update:12:38 p.m. 12/4/12)

As of 12:38 p.m., electrical service has been restored to all but the Pioneer Farms Subdivision, various Ka’anapali Well facilities, Ka’anapali Coffee Nursery and laterals, and Pu’ukoli’i.

MECO crews remain on the scene and are working to restore power to remaining customers as efficiently and safely as possible.

(Update: 11 a.m. 12/4/12)

As of 10:38 a.m., electrical service has been restored to areas of Ka’anapali bounded by the Honoapiilani Highway, Ka’anapali Parkway, Keka’a Drive, Royal Lahaina, Sheraton Maui Hotel, Ka’anapali Resort, Ka’anapali Ocean Resort, and laterals.

MECO officials say power has also been restored to areas of Pu’ukoli’i bounded by the Pioneer Mill Company Cane Haul Road, Halelo Street, Ka’anapali Vista Subdivision, Ka’anapali Ali’i, Maui Ocean Sequel, Marriott Hotel, Hyatt Regency, Maui Ocean Club, and Ka’anapali Resort.

Customers in some of the Pu’ukoli’i and Lahaina areas remain without power at this time.

MECO crews remain on the scene and are working to restore power to remaining customers as efficiently and safely as possible.

The outage was caused by a fire at the Pu’ukoli’i Substation at around 7 a.m.

The Maui Police Department is also reporting a water outage in the Ka’anapali Resort area. Officials have been notified and work crews are on scene.  Earlier this morning county officials had indicated that a power outage caused by a fire at the Pu’ukoli’i substation may have affected one of the county’s pump stations and water service in the area.

The Maui Police Department also advised motorists of issues with some traffic signals at a variety of intersections.  The advisory was issued at 9:22 a.m. for highway traffic lights at the following locations: Napilihau, Pu’ukoli’i, Fleming, Ka’anapali, and the Lahaina Civic Center. Crews were working to resolve the issue at last report.

(Update: 8:04 a.m. 12/4/12)

As of 7:50 a.m., electrical service has been restored to areas of Pu’ukoli’i bounded by: Pioneer Mill Company Cane Haul Road, Halelo Street, the Ka’anapali Vista Subdivision, Ka’anapali Ali’i, Maui Ocean Sequel, Marriott Hotel, Hyatt Regency, Maui Ocean Club, and the Ka’anapali Resort.

Customers in the Pu’ukoli’i area remain without power at this time. MECO crews remain on the scene and are working to restore power to remaining customers as efficiently and safely as possible.

The outage was caused by a fire at the Pu’ukoli’i Substation at around 7 a.m.

The Maui Police Department is also reporting a water outage in the Ka’anapali Resort area. Officials have been notified and work crews are on scene.  Earlier this morning county officials had indicated that a power outage caused by a fire at the Pu’ukoli’i substation may have affected one of the county’s pump stations and water service in the area.

***Check back for updates.

(Update: 7:25 a.m. 12/4/12; Posted: 6:58 a.m. 12/4/12)

Maui Electric Company has confirmed reports a power outage reported shortly before 7 a.m. in the Pu’ukoli’i and surrounding area.

MECO spokesperson, Kau’i Awai-Dickson said the outage is due to a fire reported at around the same time at the Pu’ukoli’i substation, located mauka of the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas.

Crews are on scene responding to the incident.

Authorities say a good portion of West Maui’s resort area is without power because of the incident.

There is no estimate at this time on when power will be restored, however MECO officials say crews are working as quickly and safely as possible.

***Check back for updates to this post as they become available.