Update: Power Restored to Most in West Maui, Olinda Road Still Closed in Areas

Update 8:39 pm: Olinda Road is open.

Update 7:45 a.m.: Olinda Road in Makawao still closed in various areas. Hawaiian Electric crews continue to clear lines and debris caused by high winds on Saturday.

Update 12:37 a.m.: Power restored to majority of customers in West Maui. Work continues on pocket outages.

Hawaiian Electric crews have restored power to all customers in the West Maui area except for a pocket area on Waineʻe Street. 

Crews are continuing work to bring pocket areas, including Olinda and parts of Haʻikū, back online. However, customers in these pocket areas are asked to plan for possible overnight outages.

Update 8:30 p.m.: Hawaiian Electric crews continue to respond to power outages in West Maui caused by the downing of three transmission lines due to high winds.

All West Maui customers are asked to please plan for a possible extended outage into the night as crews are working to safely restore power as soon as possible.

Hawaiian Electric reminds customers:

• Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronics. This will prevent damage to the equipment from surges when power is restored.
• Remember to turn off stoves, ovens and other appliances, and remove items such as pots and pans from the burners if you were cooking when the outage occurred.

Downed Power Lines Safety (www.hawaiianelectric.com/downedpowerline)

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.
• If you see someone injured after touching a downed power line, call 9-1-1 for help.
• Don’t try to rescue the individual because electrical current can travel through to you and you risk becoming a victim yourself.
• Warn others to stay away
• A downed line touching a fence or guard rail can energize it for several thousand yards and pose a hazard to anyone coming into contact with these structures. Don’t run away; instead, keep your legs together and shuffle away with both feet on the ground to a safe distance (30 feet or more, about two car lengths).

If a power line falls on your car while you are inside, follow these instructions: 

• Remain where you are, if possible, and wait for help
• If you must get out of the car because of a fire or other hazard, jump free of the car, hopping with both feet together so that your body clears the vehicle before touching the ground.
• Once you clear the car, shuffle at least 30 feet away, with both feet on the ground.
• Never step down or simultaneously touch the ground and equipment that is in contact with the power line, as this will increase the risk of electrical shock.

Food Safety

Food in the refrigerator should be safe as long as power is out no more than four hours.  Here are some tips:

• Keep the door closed as much as possible.
• Discard any perishable food (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers) that have been above 41° F for over two hours.
• Always discard any items that have come into contact with raw meat juices.
• Foods will keep frozen in the freezer for up to 72 hours for a fully stocked freezer, and about 24 hours for a half-full freezer. 

Foods will remain frozen longer if:

• The freezer door remains closed
• The freezer is full or nearly full
• The outside air temperature is cool
• The freezer is large and well insulated
• The food has a higher water content

If you are unsure if a food is safe to eat following a prolonged power outage, remember that food that has become tainted by food poisoning bacteria cannot be detected by sight, smell, touch or taste. As a general rule, when in doubt, throw it out.

Update 6 p.m.: All customers in West Maui are experiencing power outages with three transmission lines out due to high winds. Hawaiian Electric crews are responding. There is currently no estimated restoration times. Mahalo for your patience and understanding.  

Update 5:15 p.m.: Hawaiian Electric crews are en route to a power outage in West Maui. Further details are pending release including cause of the outage and expected duration.

Previous: Hawaiian Electric crews are en route to a power outage on Lānaʻi. Further details are pending release including cause of the outage and expected duration.

*We will post more information as it becomes available.