HECO 9:30 a.m. update: Catastrophic flooding from second kona storm prompts proactive shutoff for thousands on Oʻahu

9:30 a.m. update: Catastrophic flooding from second Kona low storm prompts proactive shutoff for thousands on Oʻahu

For safety reasons, Hawaiian Electric has turned off power to about 4,100 customers on the North Shore of Oʻahu. Customers on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and in Maui County should prepare for the possibility of new outages as the second storm moves across the state. Saturated grounds and moderate winds may cause partially-uprooted trees to fall on power lines or topple poles.

As of 9 a.m.:

• Oʻahu: At the request of fire officials earlier this morning, Hawaiian Electric turned off power to about 1,300 customers in the Waialua area due to flooding. Additional areas were de-energized shortly before 9 a.m., resulting in an outage for a total of 4,100 customers on the North Shore.
• Hawaiʻi Island: Yesterday and overnight, power was restored to about 560 customers in Hawaiian Acres, Mountain View, Nanawale, and Volcano. Customers who still are without power are asked to call the Hawai‘i Island Trouble Line 1-855-304-9191 or report online. About 100 customers who were impacted by the storm remain without power. Today, crews are working to restore power in Wood Valley, Kapoho and various pockets around the island. 
• Maui County: Service was restored overnight to about 64 customers. About 180 customers are without power, mainly in Kula, Haleakalā Crater and Hāna. Weather permitting, crews and contractors will use a helicopter and heavy equipment to address outages in Hāna, where access has been difficult due to downed trees and blocked roads.

Customers are asked to report low hanging or downed power lines or trees on lines to the Hawaiian Electric Trouble Line on their island:

• Oʻahu: 1-855-304-1212
• Maui County: 1-855-304-8181
• Hawaiʻi Island: 1-855-304-9191

Downed power lines may be energized and dangerous. For your safety, stay at least 30 feet or more away from downed power lines. Read more about downed power line safety on the company’s website.

5 a.m. update: Hawaiian Electric completes major restoration work overnight

Despite weather conditions and accessibility challenges, Hawaiian Electric crews and contractors worked steadily through the night and into the early morning hours to restore power to customers who have been without electricity due to last week’s powerful kona low storm. 

As of 5 a.m., the majority of the large outages on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui and Oʻahu have been resolved. Some customers must repair damage to their property before service can safely be restored. Customers who still don’t have electricity should call the company’s Trouble Lines to report it:

• Hawaiʻi Island: 1-855-304-9191
• Maui County: 1-855-304-8181
• Oʻahu: 1-855-304-1212

With a second kona low storm system now moving across the state, new outages could occur. On Oʻahu, at the request of fire officials, Hawaiian Electric has turned off power to about 1,300 customers in the Waialua area due to flooding. 

Saturated grounds and moderate winds may cause partially-uprooted trees to fall on power lines or take down poles. Anyone who sees a downed pole or line should stay at least 30 feet away, assume the line is energized and dangerous, and immediately call their island Trouble Line listed above. More on downed power line safety can be found on the company’swebsite.