High winds result in power outages to thousands in West Maui, Olinda-Piʻiholo

Brush fire updates: https://tinyurl.com/zy8mnb99
List: closed/cancelled/postponed:https://tinyurl.com/4b28993k
School closure updates: https://tinyurl.com/f6jh372w
Power outage updates:https://tinyurl.com/yn8pkhzx
Road closure updates: https://tinyurl.com/487vhcsn

waiian Electric assisting West Maui emergency
Update: 2:27 p.m., Aug. 10, 2023

Hawaiian Electric is currently coordinating and assisting with State and County emergency response efforts in West Maui. As part of this response effort, the company is currently focusing on:

• Ensuring safety and supporting the State and County emergency response, which includes our crews assisting with first clearing and maintaining access to impacted areas in West Maui today
• Starting critical damage assessments to begin restoration efforts once areas are safe and accessible
• Asking West Maui customers without power to prepare for extended outages that could last several weeks in some areas.

Approximately 12,400 customers in West Maui remain without power as access continues to be limited to many impacted areas due to safety and emergency response concerns. Damage assessments and restoration efforts will advance as areas become safe and accessible.

“Our main focus is maintaining the safety of our communities, customers and workforce and prioritizing power restoration to areas that our crews can safely access at this time,” said Shayna Decker, Hawaiian Electric spokesperson. “We recognize the gravity and hardship of having prolonged outages during these challenging times and we are starting damage assessments to determine restorations in West Maui areas as they become safe and accessible.”

In Upcountry, crews are also making progress and are working to restore a remaining small pocket of Upcountry customers at this time. Additional crews and resources from O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island and Lāna‘i have been deployed to assist with massive response efforts, and the company’s Incident Management Team continues to coordinate closely with Hawai‘i’s Emergency Management Agency and other emergency response organizations. 

As a reminder, if you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and dangerous. Stay away from downed power lines – at least 30 feet or more (at least two car lengths). Report downed lines immediately by calling Hawaiian Electric’s Maui Trouble Line at 808-871-7777. Updates are also available at hawaiianelectric.com/windstormresponse.

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Hawaiian Electric is asking for continued patience from affected West Maui and Upcountry customers without power and for affected customers to plan for extended outages as access to many impacted areas is limited due to safety and emergency response concerns.

“We are all hands on deck in supporting and responding to Maui communities affected by the outages, active wildfires, and sustained high wind damage,” said Shayna Decker, Hawaiian Electric spokesperson. “Our focus right now is the safety of our communities, customers, and workforce and prioritizing power restoration to areas that our crews can safely access. We continue to actively monitor the fluid wildfire situation and will move our restoration efforts to other areas if and as they become safe and accessible. We appreciate the continued understanding and ask customers to please prepare for possible extended outages as we conduct damage assessments and make extensive repairs.”

Additional crews from O‘ahu have been deployed to assist with massive restoration efforts, and the company’s Incident Management Team continues to coordinate closely with Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency and other emergency response organizations.

In the Upcountry area, crews restored parts of Kula to Kanaio this morning and are currently making repairs to more than 30 spans of downed power lines to bring remaining customers back online in the Olinda-Piiholo and other pocket areas around Kula Highway.

In West Maui, approximately 12,400 customers remain offline, as crews are currently assessing additional damage due to the wildfire and working to repair multiple downed poles and spans of power lines in various areas.

As a reminder, if you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and dangerous. Stay away from downed power lines – at least 30 feet or more (at least two car lengths). Report downed lines immediately by calling Hawaiian Electric’s Trouble Line at 808-871-7777.

Updates are also available at www.hawaiianelectric.com.

Power restoration efforts continue
Update: 7 a.m., Aug. 9, 2023

Crews from Hawaiian Electric Company on Maui are continuing efforts to restore power to areas in Upcountry and West Maui. At last report, there were more than 12,000 customers in West Maui without power, and about 600 without power Upcountry.

W Maui, Upcountry customers should prepare for possible extended outages
Update: 3:30 p.m., Aug. 8, 2023

As high winds continue to impact the electrical system on Maui, Hawaiian Electric is asking currently affected customers in West Maui and Upcountry to potentially prepare for an extended outage into the late evening as crews are working to complete extensive repairs in these areas. Customers not restored by 7 p.m. this evening can plan for possible overnight outages. 

Additional crews are arriving from O‘ahu to help with the restoration efforts. The company has also activated its Incident Management Team and is working closely with County of Maui Emergency Management Agency and other emergency response organizations.

In West Maui, where approximately 12,400 customers are offline, crews are making repairs to about 30 downed poles and multiple spans of power lines in various areas, including in Puamana along Honoapi‘ilani Highway.

In Upcountry, including parts of Olinda and Pi‘iholo, Makawao and Kula, about 600 customers are affected as crews are making repairs to more than 30 spans of downed power lines. 

“Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as our crews and additional resources are working to restore all customers as quickly as possible,” said Shayna Decker, Hawaiian Electric spokesperson. “With the sustained high wind weather, we are seeing additional impacts to our electrical infrastructure at the same time the crews are making repairs so we are asking customers to please prepare for possible extended outages into the night.”

With the forecast of continued high winds, if you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and dangerous. Stay away from downed power lines – at least 30 feet or more (at least two car lengths). Report downed lines immediately by calling Hawaiian Electric’s Trouble Line; the number is 808-871-7777, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you must travel, please help protect line workers and crews when you see them on the roadside assessing damages or making emergency repairs. Move over from the lane nearest workers or slow down until you can safely pass the work site.

Use extreme caution when 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. 

If using a portable generator, make sure it is placed in a well-ventilated area (outside the home), and be sure to carefully follow all instructions in the manufacturer’s manual. Visit www.hawaiianelectric.com/electricalsafety for more safety tips.

Public reminded to exercise caution due to downed power lines and trees
Update: 1:38 p.m., Aug. 8, 2023

The public is reminded that strong winds are causing hazardous conditions with downed power lines and trees. Motorists are cautioned that road conditions can be impacted.

Downed power lines may be energized. Stay at least 30 feet or more away. Downed power lines can be reported to 911 or Hawaiian Electricʻs trouble line at 808-871-7777.

A National Weather Service high-wind warning remains in effect for portions of Maui County.

Upcountry and West Maui outage updates
Update: 9:45 a.m., Aug. 8, 2023

Crews continue work to restore downed power poles and lines in parts of Olinda-Piʻiholo, and are responding to outages reported in the Kula area. In West Maui, crews are inspecting the three main transmission lines that provide power to the area. Crews are also assessing any damages and are responding to repair multiple downed poles and spans of lines in various areas.

Hawaiian Electric continues to respond to outages in West Maui, Upcountry due to high winds
Update: 9:30 a.m., Aug. 8, 2023

As of 9:30 a.m., Hawaiian Electric crews are working to restore several thousand customers in West Maui and parts of Upcountry who lost power due to the high winds. 

In West Maui, crews are currently inspecting the three main transmission lines that provide power to the area to assess any damages and also responding to clear debris caught in power lines and repair multiple downed poles and spans of lines in various areas.

In Upcountry Maui, crews are working to restore downed poles and lines in parts of Olinda-Piʻiholo and responding to an outages reported in the Kula area.

Hawaiian Electric extends a mahalo to the pubic for their continued patience and understanding as crews safely work to restore power as quickly as possible.

When lines from a utility pole fall to the ground, touch a guardrail or land on a car, please remember:

• Do not touch these lines. Stay away from downed power lines – at least 30 feet or more (about two car lengths).
• Always assume downed power lines are energized and dangerous.
• Report downed lines immediately by calling Hawaiian Electric’s Trouble Line; the number is 808-871-7777, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Customers earlier affected on Molokaʻi along Kamehameha V Highway to the East End on Molokaʻi have been restored.

Lahaina Courthouse closed due to power outage
Update: 9:26 a.m., Aug. 8, 2023

The Hawaii Judiciary advises: The Lahaina District Courthouse in West Maui is closed today due to a power outage in the area.

Power restoration efforts continue, thousands remain without power
Update: 9:25 a.m., Aug. 8, 2023

Crews from Hawaiian Electric Company on Maui continue to work to restore power to several thousand customers in West Maui and parts of Upcountry who lost power due to high winds. There are several spans of downed pier liens in various areas that need repairs. The public is asked for patience as work continues.

*Motorists are reminded: DO NOT APPROACH downed power lines. Hawaiʻi Emergency Management officials say downed lines may still be energized and can cause hazardous electric shock at a distance.

Thousands without power in West and Upcountry Maui
Update: 9 a.m., Aug. 8, 2023

Crews from Hawaiian Electric Company on Maui are working to restore power to several thousand customers in West Maui and parts of Upcountry who lost power due to high winds. There are several spans of downed power lines in various areas that require repairs.

*Motorists are reminded: DO NOT APPROACH downed power lines. Hawaiʻi Emergency Management officials say downed lines may still be energized and can cause hazardous electric shock at a distance.

Power line down on Crater Road
Update: 9:15 a.m., Aug. 8, 2023

We have reports of a power line down about a mile up Crater Road. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

Downed electric poles on Honoapiʻilani between Aholo and Hōkiokio
Update: 8:17 a.m., Aug. 8, 2023

Honoapiʻilani Highway is closed between Aholo Rd. and Hōkiokio Road due to downed MECO poles.

Power to parts of Lahaina restored
Update: 6:20 a.m., Aug. 8, 2023

Maui Electric reports that power has been restored to parts of Lahaina. Crews continue work to restore remaining affected customers in parts of West Maui and Olinda-Piʻiholo.

MECO power poles on road – Honoapiilani between Front St and Hōkiokio Rd
Update: 6:20 a.m., Aug. 8, 2023

ROAD CLOSURE: Honoapiʻilani Highway between Front Street and Hōkiokio Road due to down MECO poles on the road.

Outages in West Maui, Olinda-Piʻiholo, and Molokaʻi due to high winds
Update: 6 a.m., Aug. 8, 2023

As of 5:15 a.m. today due to the high winds, Hawaiian Electric crews are responding to outages affecting customers in Lahaina to Nāpili in West Maui, parts of Olinda-Piʻiholo in Upcountry Maui and customers along Kamehemeha V Hwy. to the East End on Molokaʻi.