Kahekili Hwy OPEN; MECO Power Restored, Waihee School OPEN

By Wendy Osher

Crews from Maui Electric Company continued work today on two power poles damaged in an evening accident along the Kahekili Highway. Photo by Wendy Osher.

(Update: 6 p.m. 1/24/11) The Kahekili Highway was reopened in both directions at 3 p.m. today following a traffic accident that involved two electric poles along the Kahekili Highway near Waiehu Kou last night. A handful of residents in the area remained without power overnight. Once the pole repairs were complete this afternoon, power was restored to a handful of residents affected by power outages along Kohomua and Akakuu Place in Waihee.

(Update: 8:34 a.m. 1/24/11)

MECO UPDATE: The accident last night took down two power poles. Replacement of these poles is necessary before power can be restored to a handful of customers on Akakuu Place and Kohomua Place in the Waiehu Kou subdivisions. Crews have been on the scene throughout the night and work will continue through the day. The job is anticipated to be complete by late this afternoon.

MECO thanks for public, and especially the customers affected by this outage, for their patience.

(Update: 7 a.m. 1/24/11)

Maui Police have established a contraflow on the Kahekili Highway near Akakuu Street. The road was closed in both directions since 8:45 last night following a traffic accident at the location.

Despite the traffic delays, Waiehee School is open today. DOE area superintendent, Bruce Anderson said classes may start a little later than usual because of the traffic delays and the inability for the school buses to traverse the back roads as an alternate route earlier this morning. Students can be dropped off prior to the later start time of classes.

***At 7:20 this morning, officials with Maui Electric Company said repairs were expected to take a few more hours. MECO officials say there are a few residents that remain without power this morning.

(Update: 6:50 a.m. 1/24/11)

Motorists in the area of the Kahekili Hwy Closure say they are able to get around the closure area via back roads in the Hawaiian Homes subdivision. The Kahekili Highway was closed at 8:45 last night following a traffic accident involving an electric pole near the Waiehu Kou I subdivision at Akakuu Street. Repair work continues this morning in the area and the main roadway remained closed at last report. Those using the alternate back roads are asked to proceed with caution and expect delays. The accident resulted in power outages to the nearby subdivision. We will update you with information from Maui Electric Company shortly.

(Update: 6:10 a.m. 1/24/11)

Crews from Maui Electric Company remained on scene this morning, repairing a damaged electrical pole on the Kahekili Highway near Waiehu Kou I. The road has been closed since 8:45 last night following a traffic accident near Akakuu Street. We will be getting an update shortly from MECO on estimated completion time of the project.

(Update: 8:45 p.m. 1/23/11)

Maui Police closed the Kahekili Highway at Akakuu Street in Waiehu at 8:45 p.m. due to a traffic accident reported near the Waiehu Kou Subdivision. There is no estimated time on when the road will be re-opened. Further details will be posted as they become available.