UPDATE: Power Restored to 1,700 MECO Customers in Kahului

Kahului power outage. Police direct traffic while MECO crews repair lines that were downed early Friday morning, 6/7/13. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

(Update: 8:11 a.m. 6/7/13; Update: 7:55 a.m. 6/7/13; Update: 7:25 a.m.; Update: 6:14 a.m. 6/7/13)

An estimated 1,700 electric customers were affected by a power outage in Kahului early this morning.

The incident was first reported at around 4:05 a.m. on Friday, June 7, originating at downed power lines near the Kaʻahumanu Avenue and Wākea Avenue intersection.

Maui Electric Company Spokesperson Kauʻi Awai-Dickson said the probable cause was likely salt corrosion, which industry officials refer to as “contamination,” but that such incidents are difficult to confirm.

She said this can occur when something like a branch falls on the corroded line, causing it to short; or when water collects on a corroded line, resulting in a short, and subsequent outage.

According to authorities, the outage primarily affected residential areas.

Incremental power restoration began at 5:25 a.m., with a second round of restoration implemented at 6:09 a.m.  Some isolated customers remained without power at 7:55 a.m. Those customers were brought back on line at around 8:11 a.m., according to a company advisory.

(Update: 5:25 a.m. 6/7/13)

Kahului power outage. Police direct traffic while MECO crews repair lines that were downed early Friday morning, 6/7/13. Photo by Wendy Osher.

As of 5:25 a.m., electrical service was restored to areas of Kahului bounded by Wākea Ave., Lono Ave., Vevau St., Kane St., part of the Kaʻahumanu Shopping Center, and laterals.

Customers remained without power in the areas of Kahului bounded by Kaʻahumanu Ave., part of Kaʻahumanu Shopping Center, Kahului Beach Rd., S. Wākea Ave., Ano St., S. Papa Ave., W. Papa Ave., Kūhaʻo St., Maui Lani Grand Fairways, Maui Lani The Legends, Maui Lani Nā Hōkū, Maui Lani Subd. and laterals.

MECO crews are working to restore electrical service as quickly and safely as possible.

Kahului power outage. Police direct traffic while MECO crews repair lines that were downed early Friday morning, 6/7/13. Photo by Wendy Osher.

(4:15 a.m. Fri. 6/7/13)

There is currently a power outage in Kahului.

Details of the cause and when power will be restored are not yet available.

Traffic lights at main intersections in Kahului were out of order with police on hand to direct traffic.

Motorists are advised to drive with caution.

Pacific Media Group’s six radio stations are currently working on generator power.

***We will post additional details as they become available.