Victims Freed From Elevators During Maui Power Outage

Maui firefighters responded to several calls of individuals stuck in elevators following the power outage. Crews responded to the main elevator at the mall and the elevator at a doctor’s office located at the west end of the Kaʻahumanu Center. Photo 12/18/15, by Wendy Osher.

Firefighters responded to several alarms during a power outage which affected an estimated 32,000 customers on Maui.

Fire units responded to four cases of victims trapped in elevators when the outage occurred between 3:29 and 3:45 p.m.

At the Kaʻahumanu Shopping Center, units responded to elevator entrapment reports in the Macy’s Men’s Department and the elevator located at the mall’s center court.

Units also responded to an elevator entrapment within the building located on the west end of the shopping center’s parking lot. In all three cases, an elevator technician co-responded and was able to release all parties without incident.

In Lahaina, units responded to another report of an elevator entrapment at 505 Front Street. While units were enroute, it was reported that power had been restored and parties were able to exit the elevator.

At 3:29 p.m., Engine 1 from Wailuku responded to reports of arcing at a MECO transfer station located on the corner of Waiʻinu Rd and Waiʻale Road. Upon investigation, arcing was confirmed and MECO representatives were dispatched.

It was deemed that there were no further hazards associated the situation.