Update: State Capitol closed due to power outage

Update: 11:48 a.m. Aug. 29, 2022

The Hawaiʻi State Capitol will be closed until further notice due to a power failure resulting from equipment damage, state officials confirmed. 

On the morning of Saturday, Aug. 27, the outage occurred due to the shorting of one of three high voltage circuit breakers at the State Capitol.  This resulted in smoldering of the circuit.  The cause is unknown.

The Department of Accounting and General Services, the Honolulu Fire Department and Hawaiian Electric Company initially responded to the outage.    

HFD and HECO left the scene Saturday confirming that it is safe and sufficient power is available to energize the State Capitol once repairs have been made. 

“DAGS has been working around the clock with our contractors to restore power to the State Capitol as soon as possible.  Until our contractors can repair the damaged equipment, the State Capitol will remain secured and closed to the public for safety reasons,” according to a legislative update.

Back-up generators are supplementing limited power within the State Capitol. 

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Due to a “severe power outage” at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol, the building will be closed today, according to an announcement from the legislature. 

The exact cause of the outage could not be determined at this time.  

Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi (Senate District 8 – Kauaʻi and Niʻihau) and House Speaker Scott Saiki (House District 26 – McCully, Kaheka, Kakaako, Downtown) issued a joint statement saying:

“During this closure, all legislative offices will remain operational, and staff will work remotely. Senate and House leadership is working closely with the Department of Accounting and General Services to determine the exact cause of the outage and will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.”