HECO 5 p.m. update: 2,530 still without power, including 400 on Maui

5 p.m. update: Hawaiian Electric restores 600; about 2,530 remain without power across Maui, Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu

Hawaiian Electric restored 600 customers on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island today. However, a new, weaker storm front approaching the state could delay ongoing restoration efforts. The company asks for customers’ patience as the remaining restorations are lengthy. Crews are working through hazardous and complex conditions to repair overhead and underground electrical infrastructure, which could be further complicated by additional rainfall.

As of 5 p.m.:

• Maui: About 400 customers remain without power islandwide as crews continue working on restorations. Hawaiian Electric is contacting some customers who should prepare for their outage to extend into next week due to the forecasted storm conditions. Some key repairs involve helicopter use and crews hiking into certain areas, which will need to be stopped in adverse weather and potential flooding.
• Hawaiʻi Island: Power was restored to about 400 customers today. About 2,000 customers remain without power in Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kapoho, Leilani Estates, Mountain View, Nanawale, Orchid Isle Estates, Wright Road, and various pockets in North and South Kona. Damage assessments and tree clearing continue. Additional contractors arrived today and crews from O‘ahu will arrive tomorrow to assist with repairs.
• Oʻahu: About 200 customers were restored today as crews made repairs to individual service lines that provide power to neighborhoods. About 130 customers remain without power from the storm in small pockets across the island.  

How we restore power

Following a major storm, power can be restored anytime between several minutes to several days. This depends on several factors:

• The cause and severity of the damage to the electric utility’s infrastructure
• Weather conditions
• Accessibility of the damaged area
• Special parts needed to repair the damage
• In general, underground repairs take longer than repairs to overhead lines as they are inaccessible until flood waters recede or are pumped out and thick mud removed

After dangerous conditions subside, crews are deployed to repair lines and restore power. Emergency facilities such as hospitals, water utility infrastructure, wastewater plants, military facilities, and the airports will have first priority for restoration after a storm.

Customers are reminded to stay at least 30 feet or more away from downed power lines, as they may still be energized and dangerous. Report them to the Hawaiian Electric Trouble Lines: Oʻahu: 1-855-304-1212; Maui County: 1-855-304-8181, andHawaiʻi Island: 1-855-304-9191.

9 a.m. update: Hawaiian Electric restores 1,500-plus customers overnight across Maui County, Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu

Overnight and early this morning, Hawaiian Electric restored power to more than 1,500 customers across Maui County, Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu who were impacted by the powerful Kona low storm. The company asks for customers’ patience as the remaining restorations are lengthy as crews and contractors are working through hazardous and complex conditions to make repairs to overhead and underground electrical infrastructure.

As of 9 a.m.:

• Maui County: Overnight, about 600 customers were restored. Approximately 400 customers remain without power. Today, crews will focus on the remaining pocket outages islandwide. In East Maui, crews made significant progress and restored a majority of customers, with about 70 customers being asked to continue planning for extended outages that could last several more days pending weather conditions later this week.
• Hawaiʻi Island: Power was restored to about 340 customers overnight. About 2,400 customers in various areas around the island remain without power in Kapoho, Royal Hawaiian Estates, Mountain View, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Orchid Isle Estates, Wright Road, and various pocket outages in North and South Kona. Damage assessments and tree clearing continue. In the hardest hit areas, repairs have been slowed by fallen trees and debris blocking roads. Tree trimming crews have been working to clear trees in the Puna area since Sunday.
• Oʻahu: Nearly 248 customers were restored overnight. About 330 customers remain without power from the storm in small pockets across the island. Crews are back in the field today making repairs to individual services lines that provide power to neighborhoods.

Estimated restoration times may not be available until inspections are completed and any repairs are made before power can be safely restored. See the Storm Restoration Process. The outage numbers above represent a snapshot in time and are subject to change as stated above. Customers can view current outages and report outages on the outage map at hawaiianelectric.com and on the mobile app. If your neighborhood has power, but you do not, please check your main breaker before reporting your outage.  

In areas with power, the public should report any low hanging or downed power lines or trees on lines. Downed power lines may be energized and dangerous. For your safety stay at least 30 feet or more away from downed power lines. If you see someone injured after touching a downed power line, call 9-1-1 for help; don’t try to rescue the individual as you also could become a victim. Report to them to the Hawaiian Electric Trouble Lines: Oʻahu: 1-855-304-1212; Maui County: 1-855-304-8181, andHawaiʻi Island: 1-855-304-9191.