Downed utility pole snarls traffic in Kailua-Kona

KAILUA-KONA — A downed utility pole that left lines dangling across Kuakini Highway snarled traffic Friday afternoon in Kailua-Kona.

The pole, located fronting Kona Islander Inn, fell around 1 p.m. bringing northbound and southbound traffic between Hualalai Road and Coconut Grove Marketplace to a halt. The downed pole, which was not struck by a vehicle, was left leaning on a tree with its lines suspended several feet over the highway.

Northbound traffic opened around 3:25 p.m.; both lanes were opened about an hour later while work continued.

Crews from Hawaii Electric Light Co., Hawaiian Telcom and Spectrum were still working to replace the pole as of Friday evening.

No power outages occurred.