High Winds Result in Outages from Makawao to Hana

By Wendy Osher

(Update: 4:15 p.m. 1/10/11)

Approximately 4,700 customers were affected by a power outage that occurred this morning when high winds took down a power line near Pauwela Cannery on Maui.  Officials from Maui Electric Company say power was restored to 4,400 customers within an hour, and remaining customer were brought back online at 2:35 this afternoon. 

MECO has also today released a list of Safety Tips to take in preparation for the approaching storm. 

(Update: 12:58 p.m. 1/10/11)

MECO power lines. Photo by Wendy Osher.

High winds this morning resulted in a power outage that stretched from Makawao to Hana.  The outage was reported at approximately 10:21 this morning.  MECO spokesperson Kau’i Awai Dickson said the outage occurred when a power line broke near Pauwela Cannery due to high winds, causing a relay at the Pukalani Substation.

Power has since been restored as of 10:27 a.m. to Hana using generators.  Power to Makawao was restored at 10:47 a.m.   Officials with Maui Electric Company say customers on Kokomo Road and in Haiku were being brought back on line at around 10:55 a.m.

Just before  1 p.m., power remained out in parts of Haiku, Huelo, Kailua, Keanae and just outside of Hana Town.  MECO officials say they estimate power to be restored to remaining areas at around 3 p.m.