PHOTOS/UPDATES: Storm Related Damage, Road Closures, Power Outages

(Update: 3:14 p.m. 2/14/15) The Hāna Highway at Holokai Road is now OPEN. (Update: 2/14/15, 12:33 p.m.) Hāna Hwy. at Holokai Rd. is closed in both directions due to a brush fire, according to Maui Police. Please limit your travel during the course of the storm.

(Update: 2:33 p.m. 2/15/14) The following roads are now OPEN: West Kuiaha, Ulumalu Road, Kauhikoa Road and Wakina Loop.  The roads were closed earlier due to impacts from the Valentine’s Day storm.  (Update: 10:35 a.m. 2/14/15) The following road are closed due to utility lines / trees blocking: West Kuiaha Rd.; 300 Ulumalu Rd.; Kauhikoa Rd. at Lāhui St., and Wakina Loop.

Maui County Power Outages:

(Update: 7:03 a.m., 2/16/15, per Maui Electric Company)  Maui Electric crews were able to restore power to all but 20 customers last night as they worked through midnight to bring customers in areas of Haʻikū, Wailuku, Waiehu, Kahului, Piʻiholo and Olinda back online.  Crews are back in the field this morning clearing trees and debris to gain access and conduct repairs to the remaining  5 customers in Olinda and 15 customers in pockets of Haʻikū.  A total of 3,520 customers were initially impacted in Maui County by the storm that hit the islands on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13 and 14, 2015.

(Update: 4:38 p.m. 2/15/15, per Maui Electric Company) As of 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15, 3,200 customers have been restored to power of the total 3,520 customers initially affected in Maui County following the severe wind and torrential rain storm that hit the islands on Friday.

As of 4:30 p.m., 220 customers in  pockets of Kahului, Wailuku, Waiehu, upper Olinda, Piʻiholo and Haʻikū remained without power.  Maui Electric Company officials say crews will remain in the field through the evening, as they continue restoration efforts.  This may result in some of the remaining customers back online this evening; however, Maui Electric Company is asking that these customers be prepared to be without power through the night.

“Restoration efforts in these areas are challenging with large trees and debris in electrical lines and across roadways.  Crews are making their way through rough terrain and difficult to access areas in order to conduct repairs.  We will do everything possible to bring as many customers as we can back online tonight,” said Maui Electric spokesperson Kauʻi Awai-Dickson in a company statement.

Customers without power who reside outside of the areas mentioned above are asked to call Maui Electric at 871-7777.

(Update: 8:52 a.m. 2/15/15, per Maui Electric Company) Maui Electric crews worked late into the night on Saturday restoring power to an additional 450 customers before ceasing restoration efforts for the evening at 11 p.m.  As of 8:52 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15, 270 customers, of the initial 3520 county-wide affected customers, remained without power in pockets of upper Olinda, Piʻiholo, upper Kimo Drive, Haʻikū, Kahului, Wailuku, and Waiehu.  Crews were back out at first light on Sunday morning as they continued efforts to bring customers back online throughout the day.  Anyone outside the areas listed who is currently without power, is asked to call Maui Electric at 871-7777.  “We understand that some of our customers have been without power for some time and we know that this is a hardship on families.  Please know that we are doing everything possible to bring customers back online as quickly as possible.  We sincerely thank you for your patience and understanding,” said Maui Electric officials in a company statement.

(Update: 9:11 p.m. 2/14/15, per Maui Electric Company)  Maui Electric Company reports that 1,100 customers have since been brought back online in areas of Haʻikū, Kahului and Wailuku.  As of 9 p.m., 770 customers in upper Olinda, Piʻiholo, upper Kimo Drive, parts of Haʻikū and pockets of Kahului, Wailuku, Waiehu and Hāna remained without power. Crews remained in the field restoring as many customers to power as safely and as quickly as possible; however, due to inaccessibility and unsafe conditions, customers in Piʻiholo, upper Olinda, upper Kimo Drive and parts of Haʻikū are asked to prepare to be without power through the night.  “We know this is a hardship and appreciate the patience and understanding of those who remain without power,” Maui Electric Spokesperson Kauʻi Awai-Dickson said in a statement.

(Update: 5:07 p.m. 2/14/15, per Maui Electric Company) As of 5 p.m., approximately 1,870 customers of the total 3,400 customers affected from the onset of the storm last night, remain without power as fierce winds continue to whip through Maui County.

Crews responded last night and throughout the day to several outages in areas of upcountry including Piʻiholo, Olinda, Haʻikū and Kula, as well as parts of Kahului and Wailuku.  Areas of Kualapuʻu, Kalaʻe and Kalaupapa on Molokaʻi also lost power.

Crews remain in the field working to restore power in Kahului, Wailuku, Waiehu and areas of upcountry.  However, safety is a primary concern and although Maui Electric workers will do everything possible to bring customers back online, work will cease where conditions are too dangerous to continue.

At this time, areas of Piʻiholo, Olinda and Haʻikū remain without power.  Maui Electric Company is asking that customers in these affected areas prepare to be without power through the evening.  Crews will continue work in these areas on Sunday morning when weather and safety conditions improve.

Maui Electric thanked customers for their patience and understanding as crews work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

(Update: 1:17 p.m. 2/14/15, per Maui Electric Company)  Several outages throughout the night and during the day resulted from strong winds affecting the state.

• Areas of Piʻiholo, Olinda, Haʻikū and Kula lost power last night as strong gusts brought down trees and lines.  Maui Electric crews responded to the scene in Piʻiholo, however work was suspended for safety reasons when a large tree came down on a Maui Electric truck as crews conducted repairs.   Crews continue restoration efforts in these areas today.
• This morning shortly after 8 a.m., 3762 customers in parts of Wailuku, Waiehu and Kahakuloa lost power when winds blew a tie wire lose in Wailuku Heights.  Power was restored to all customers at 9:30 a.m.
• 186 customers on Molokaʻi in areas of Kalaʻe, Kualapuʻu and Kalaupapa lost power shortly after 11 a.m. when winds broke a cross arm.  Power was restored to all but two customers at 11:46 a.m.

Maui Electric reminds customers to use caution as this system continues through the County.  Stay away from downed lines and call for help should you see a downed line or pole by dialing 911 or Maui Electric at 871-7777 on Maui and 1-877-871-8461 on Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi.

Officials at Maui Electric Company say they are working to bring customers back online as quickly and safely as possible.  Customers currently without power are reminded to keep the refrigerator door closed to keep food cold.  If using propane or open flame to cook, do so outside and use caution if using a generator.

(Update: 11:36 a.m. 2/14/15) Maui Electric Company would like to inform the public that areas of Kualapuu and Kalaupapa on Molokaʻi are experiencing a power outage.

(Update: 11:17 a.m. 2/14/15) Electrical service has been restored to all customers in the Waiehu-Wailuku area.

(Update: 9:08 a.m. 2/14/15) The power outage area includes Waiehu, Kahakuloa, Wailuku Heights, and parts of Wailuku Town. Power outages also reported in Kula, Haʻikū, Piʻiholo, and Olinda on Maui. Maui Electric crews are working to identify the cause and restore electrical service as quickly and safely as possible.

With Maui County and the rest of the state experiencing strong gusty winds, Maui Electric reminds the public to stay clear of downed electrical lines, poles and equipment. If you should see a downed line or pole, call Maui Electric immediately at 871-7777 on Maui and 1-877-871-8461 on Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi or dial 911 in an emergency.

(Update: 8:30 a.m. 2/14/15) Power outage in parts of Wailuku. Crews are working to restore electrical service as quickly and safely as possible.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Photo credit: John Korpi.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Photo credit: John Korpi.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Photo credit: John Korpi.

Fire along the Hāna Highway at Holokai Road. Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Photo credit: John Korpi.

Fire along the Hāna Highway at Holokai Road. Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Photo credit: John Korpi.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Wailuku. Photo credit: Roberta Simko.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Wailuku. Photo credit: Roberta Simko.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Wailuku. Photo credit: Roberta Simko.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Wailuku. Photo credit: Roberta Simko.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Wailuku. Photo credit: Roberta Simko.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Wailuku. Photo credit: Roberta Simko.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Wailuku. Photo credit: Roberta Simko.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Wailuku. Photo credit: Roberta Simko.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Wailuku. Photo credit: Roberta Simko.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Bridge washed out near Kaupō. Photo courtesy: Joni Demello.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Wind tearing apart resident’s garden. Photo credit: Alicia Ortiz.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Maui Lani Parkway, new fence warped and tearing apart. Photo credit: Kahiwahiwaokalani Macanas.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Kaʻahumanu Avenue near UHMC. Photo credit: Shane Yamasaki.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Kaʻahumanu Avenue near UHMC. Photo credit: Sunshine Galiza.

Valentine’s Day storm damage Maui, 2/14/15. Photo credit: Jailanie Valera-Canonizado Gonzales.

Photo of sign down at Maui Built. Photo courtesy: Aimee Etterling.