Maui Olivia Power Outage Updates

OLIVIA WEDNESDAY 9.12.18 FORECAST UPDATES: http://mauinow.com/?p=280330
MAUI CLOSURES, CANCELLATIONS: http://mauinow.com/?p=280073
Maui Power Outage Updates: http://mauinow.com/?p=280081
Maui Traffic Advisories, Road Closures: http://mauinow.com/?p=280096

Maui Now graphic.

Below is an ongoing list of Power Outages and Power Restoration happening in Maui County.  Check back for updates, which will be posted as they become available.  This post will be updated regularly over the duration of the storm.

5:58 p.m. 9.13.18: Hundreds on Moloka’i Face Extended Power Outage

***NOTE: Due to power outages in the area, Kilohana Elementary will remain closed tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 14 . The campus currently has no electricity.***

Maui Electric crews are currently working to restore 300 customers in the Kaluakoi area of Moloka‘i this evening (Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018) after gusty winds and heavy rains from Tropical Storm Olivia left them without power on Wednesday.

After making damage assessments this morning, crews are now in the area making repairs to damaged electrical equipment at this time; however, due to the nature of the repair work needing to be done, these affected customers should still prepare for possible overnight outages.

On the East End of Moloka‘i, about 400 customers are being asked to prepare for an extended overnight outage this evening through tomorrow, Sept. 14. Due to the severe weather conditions that caused heavy rains, the grounds are currently saturated, causing additional trees to come down onto utility poles and bringing down more power lines today. Moloka‘i crews, along with additional workers from Maui, are continuing to make repairs tonight. However, due to the extensive damages and repair work involved, full restorations cannot be completed by this evening.

“Olivia dealt a devastating blow to Moloka‘i and we know everyone who was affected wants life and business to return to normal as soon as possible,” said Sharon Suzuki, president of Maui Electric. “We have deployed additional crews and resources and we won’t stop working until every customer’s electricity is back on.”

Should customers experience an outage or encounter downed power lines, please report them to Maui Electric’s trouble line at 871-7777 on Maui or toll-free for Lānaʻi or Molokaʻi at 1-877-871-8461.

9:16 a.m. 9.13.18: 700 remaining customers on Moloka‘i

Maui Electric crews are continuing restoration efforts on Moloka‘i today to bring approximately 700 customers on the East End and Kaluakoi area back online. Additional workers from Maui have arrived by helicopter this morning to assist with damage assessments and repairs of downed power lines brought down by storm impacts yesterday.

A majority of the 100 customers affected by pocket outages on Maui were restored last night with crews working today to bring 6 remaining customers back online in the Waihe‘e area.

Should customers experience an outage or encounter downed power lines, please report them to Maui Electric’s trouble line at 871-7777 on Maui or toll-free for Lānaʻi or Molokaʻi at 1-877-871-8461.

7 p.m. 9.12.18: 100 Without Power

Currently, Maui Electric crews are working to restore 100 remaining customers in pockets of Upcountry, Hai‘kū and Waihe‘e as early as midnight tonight after gusty winds and heavy rains from Tropical Storm Olivia left them without power today. However, due to the nature of the repair work needing to be done, these affected customers should still prepare for possible overnight outages.

On Moloka‘i, about 700 customers in the East End and a small isolated pocket in Kaluakoi are also asked to prepare for an extended outage this evening through tomorrow, Sept. 13. Due to weather conditions and earlier road closures, access to the areas without power was restricted. Moloka‘i crews are working into the night on repairs, and additional workers from Maui will also be flown in by helicopter tomorrow morning to help accelerate restoration efforts to the area.

“We know how difficult it is for customers to be without power and we’re doing everything we possibly can to bring folks back online as soon as possible,” said Sharon Suzuki, president of Maui Electric. “Thank you for your continued patience as we make repairs in various areas where the storm took down large trees that toppled onto power lines, and in some cases delayed access to some sites due to flooding and other weather conditions where work needs to be done.”

Should customers experience an outage or encounter downed power lines, please report them to Maui Electric’s trouble line at 871-7777 on Maui or toll-free for Lānaʻi or Molokaʻi at 1-877-871-8461.

Since the onset of the storm early this morning, severe wind and heavy rain resulted in power outages to approximately 7,600 customers on Maui and Moloka‘i. Service to these customers has been restored.

3 p.m. 9.12.18: 4,500 Restored; 2,700 still without power

As of 3 p.m., Maui Electric crews have now restored about 4,500 customers in parts of Upcountry Maui. About 700 customers have also been restored in Kalaupapa and West End Moloka‘i.

2 p.m. 9.12.18: About 7,900 customers affected in parts of Upcountry, East Maui, Moloka‘i

With Olivia moving across Maui County, as of 2 p.m. today, Maui Electric crews continue to respond to outages currently affecting approximately 7,900 customers in parts of Upcountry Maui, East Maui, and Moloka‘i.

At this time, crews are working to restore about 6,800 customers in the Upcountry and East Maui area, including parts of Makawao, Kula, Ha‘ikū, Pe‘ahi, Huelo, Waipi‘o, Kailua, Ke‘anae, Hanawi, Nāhiku and Hāna. Crews are also responding to outages affecting approximately 1,100 customers in Kalaupapa and East and West Moloka‘i.

“As the storm’s heavy rains and gusty winds continue to impact different parts of the county, we’re working to safely restore power to everyone affected by this major storm as quickly as possible,” said Sharon Suzuki, president of Maui Electric. “We appreciate the public’s patience as our crews work on these restoration efforts, and we’re committed to keeping you informed throughout our progress.”

Should customers experience any outages or encounter downed power lines, please report them to Maui Electric’s trouble line at 871-7777 on Maui or toll-free for Lānaʻi or Molokaʻi at 1-877-871-8461.

Maui Electric reminds customers in stormy and flooded areas to continue taking the following precautions:

• Stay at least 30 feet away (about two car lengths) from downed power lines as they may have electricity running through them and may be dangerous. If you see someone injured after touching a downed power line, call 9-1-1 for help; don’t try to rescue the individual.
• If you must travel, please help protect line workers and crews when you see them on the roadside assessing damages or making repairs. Move over from the lane nearest the workers or slow down until you can safely pass the work site.
• Use extreme caution while driving. Power interruptions may cause traffic signals to stop working without warning. If you come to an intersection with a non-working traffic signal, treat it as a four-way stop.

The Maui Electric’s Customer Service and Engineering offices at 210 W. Kamehameha Ave. will be open to customers tomorrow, Sept. 13. The offices closed today due to impending weather conditions.

Makawao/Hāliʻimaile/Olinda/Kula/Haʻikū/Upcountry/East Maui Outage:

10 a.m. HST, 9.12.18: As of 10 a.m. today, Maui Electric crews are currently responding to outages affecting approximately 2,100 customers in parts of Upcountry Maui and Moloka‘i. At this time, there are about 2,000 customers without power in the Upcountry area, including Ha‘ikū, and approximately 100 customers in parts of Moloka‘i.

8:22 a.m. HST, 9:12.18: As of 8 a.m. Sept. 12, Maui Electric crews are currently responding to outages affecting customers in parts of the Upcountry area, including Makawao, Hāliʻimaile, Olinda, Kula, Haʻikū as well as parts of East Maui. Updates will be provided as more information is available.

8:06 a.m. HST, 9.12.18: Maui Electric Company has confirmed that parts of Upcountry Maui are experiencing a power outage.

7:41 a.m. HST, 9.12.18: We have received reports of an isolated outage in Haʻikū.

Wailuku Isolated Outage:

7:36 a.m. HST, 9.12.18: Customers report that power has since been restored.
6:33 a.m. HST, 9.12.18: Report of an isolated outage in parts of Wailuku.

Haʻikū Downed Tree:

2:08 a.m. HST, 9.12.18 Electrical service has been restored to all customers in Haʻikū following a downed tree incident.  The incident affected an estimated 500 customers with the outage lasting for about an hour and a half.

Kula Power Outage:

4:35 p.m., 9.11.18: Electrical service has been restored to all customers in the Kula area due to tree branch in lines along Kekaulike Highway.
3:52 p.m., 9.11.18: Parts of Kula are experiencing a power outage. Responders are en route.

Maui Electric Update:

12:47 p.m., 9.11.18: Maui Electric is moving crews and equipment where needed as Tropical Storm Olivia approaches the islands, and wants customers to know they should prepare for storm-related power outages. Due to impending storm conditions for the safety of customers, Maui Electric’s Customer Service and Engineering offices at 210 W. Kamehameha Ave. will be closed to customers on Wednesday, Sept. 12. To report downed power lines or outages, call Maui Electric’s trouble line at Maui 871-7777 or toll-free for Lānaʻi or Molokaʻi toll free at 1-877-871-8461.

There are no scheduled or planned outages at this time. As the storm approaches and in the event of outages, repair crews are dispatched as long as working conditions are safe to do so. After the storm passes, employees are ready to help restore power and assist customers in their communities once working conditions are deemed safe.

During storms, wind gusts can cause tree branches or fronds to break loose and come into contact with our lines. Falling trees could also hit a pole or more likely, an overhead line, knocking the line down or causing the pole to lean, resulting in an outage or requiring electricity to be cut off until the pole or overhead line are safely repaired or replaced.

Due to uncontrolled forces of nature, such as tropical storm or hurricanes, power lines can come down. Stay at least 30 feet away (about two car lengths) from downed power lines as they may have electricity running through them and may be dangerous. If you see someone injured after touching a downed power line, call 9-1-1 for help; don’t try to rescue the individual.

Before the storm hits or if there is a power outage, the company also reminds customers to:

· Unplug all unnecessary electric equipment and appliances until the storm has passed or until power is restored. Should you need to evacuate, take emergency supplies and remember to shut off electricity at the main breaker or switch.

· When using a portable generator, carefully read and follow instructions in the manufacturer’s manual. Do not plug the generator into your household electrical outlets.

· Make plans in advance to go to a safe location where electricity will be available if someone in your home depends on an electrically powered life support system and you don’t have a backup generator.

· If you have a rooftop photovoltaic system, consult with your licensed solar contractor regarding normal and emergency operation procedures for your solar system. As a safety precaution, most photovoltaic systems are designed to safely shut down during outages. PV systems typically have monitoring capabilities which allow owners to check on the status of their equipment.

· If your PV system is designed to provide emergency back-up power in the event of an outage, contact your contractor to ensure your system is safely working in the event of outages. Even though power may be out, your system may still be producing enough voltage that could cause serious injury (or worse) if you or anyone comes in contact with it.

Maui Electric will keep customers informed about progress throughout restoration efforts. Additionally, broad estimates apply to the total number of customers affected, rather than to individual households and businesses.

Kawela, Molokaʻi:

11:58 p.m. HST 9.10.18: Electrical service has been restored to all customers in Kawela, Molokaʻi.

10:43 p.m. HST 9.10.18: Maui Electric Company would like to inform the public that Kawela area in Molokaʻi is experiencing a power outage.