Power Restored to 387 on Maui During Darby

Darby Power outage Updates.

TS Darby Forecast Updates: http://mauinow.com/?p=205341

Power Restored to 387 Customers During Darby (6 p.m. 7.24.16)

Maui Electric crews restored power to all 120 Upper Olinda/Piʻiholo customers at about 1:38 p.m. today after retrieving and repairing electrical lines that fell into a gulch last night due to Tropical Storm Darby.

Since Saturday morning, as the storm’s gusty winds and heavy rains impacted Maui County, Maui Electric crews restored 387 customers in pockets of Lower Nāhiku, Upper and Lower Olinda/Piʻiholo and parts of Hāliʻimaile and West Maui.

“Although the storm was less severe than anticipated, early preparation and planning contributed to our response and I’m pleased that we were able to bring all of our customers back online,” said Maui Electric President Sharon Suzuki. “Our crews and the general public remained safe throughout the weekend and this is always our first priority.”

To report an outage, a low-hanging or downed power line, the public can call the Maui Electric Trouble Line at 871-7777 or toll-free on Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi at 1-877-871-8461. In an emergency, dial 911. The public can also sign up for outage notifications and restoration updates at www.mauielectric.com or follow Maui Electric on Twitter @mauielectric.

Maui Electric crews RESTORE POWER to Upper Olinda/Piʻiholo (Update: 1:59 p.m. 7.24.16)

Maui Electric crews responding to Upper Olinda/Piʻiholo area this morning, Olowalu pocket restored

Update: 7 a.m. 7.24.16

Maui Electric crews are resuming work in the Upper Olinda/Piʻiholo area to restore about 120 customers after electrical lines fell into a gulch last night due to impacts from Tropical Storm Darby. Working conditions were too hazardous for crews to retrieve the lines and continue restoration efforts in the area until first light today.

Crews were in the Upper and Lower Olinda area yesterday to repair electrical lines that were brought down by high winds and trees. Soon after the repairs were complete and all customers were restored in the Upcountry area as reported at 7 p.m. yesterday, a different span of the line fell into the gulch. Customers in the area were informed to plan for an overnight outage.

“We understand that being without power is an inconvenience,” said Sharon Suzuki, Maui Electric president.  “However, safety remains our top priority and conditions were too dangerous last night to retrieve the downed line in the gulch. We thank the Upper Olinda community for their patience and understanding as we work to bring them back online.”

Response crews also worked through the evening on a pocket outage in Olowalu after a tree came down on power lines. All 65 customers in Olowalu were restored at 11:30 p.m.

Should customers experience a power outage, the public can call the Maui Electric Trouble Line at 871-7777 or toll-free on Lanai and Molokai at 1-877-871-8461. In an emergency, dial 911. The public can also sign up for outage notifications and restoration updates at www.mauielectric.com or follow Maui Electric on Twitter @mauielectric.

Update: (7:04 p.m. 7/23/16)

Maui Electric crews restore power to all customers in Lower Nāhiku and Upcountry, working to restore pocket outage in Olowalu

As of 6 p.m. today, Maui Electric crews have restored power to all customers in Lower Nāhiku and the Upcountry areas of Upper/Lower Olinda and Hāliʻimaile. Crews are working through the evening on a pocket outage in Olowalu to restore 65 customers due to downed trees.

Throughout today, response crews repaired electrical lines that were brought down by high winds and trees and caused about 100 customers in the Upcountry areas of Upper/Lower Olinda and Hāliʻimaile as well as Lower Nāhiku to lose power.

“Mahalo for your patience and understanding as crews work to safely restore power as quickly as possible through this storm,” said Sharon Suzuki, Maui Electric president. “Our crews remain ready to respond.”

Update: (2:48 p.m. 7/23/16)

Maui Electric crews are responding to pockets of Upcountry – Upper Olinda, Meha/Hanamu and parts of Hāliʻimaile – as well as Lower Nāhiku as approximately 100 customers are experiencing power outages as of 2 p.m. today due to the effects of Tropical Storm Darby.

The outages in Upper Olinda, Meha/Hanamu and Lower Nāhiku were due to downed trees and crews are currently working to safely restore power as quickly as possible to these areas. Crews are currently assessing the Hāliʻimaile area. Approximately 198 customers in the Nāpili area also experienced an outage at about 11:52 a.m. today with full restoration by 1:14 p.m.

In preparation for more possible impacts from Tropical Storm Darby, Maui Electric’s Incident Management Team reminds customers that high winds and heavy rains can uproot trees, break branches, snap utility poles, down power lines, and cause power outages. With strong wind gusts or during heavy rains, trees particularly pose a hazard if they break and fall into power lines and poles.

“We’d like to remind everyone that any downed power line can be dangerous,” said Bobby Motooka, Maui Electric safety director. “It’s important to not approach or touch a downed power line as it may be energized. If you see a downed or low hanging power line, do not try to free it. Call our Maui Electric Trouble Line at 871-7777 or toll-free on Lanai and Molokai at 1-877-871-8461. In an emergency, dial 911.”

The public can also sign up for outage notifications and restoration updates at www.mauielectric.com or follow Maui Electric on Twitter @mauielectric.

Maui Electric’s free “Information Handbook for Emergency Preparedness” includes more emergency electrical tips. It can be downloaded at www.mauielectric.com/prepare. The handbook includes key numbers to have on hand, checklists for emergency supplies, power outage preparedness and recovery information, and household and food safety tips