An estimated 650 Hawaiian Electric customers will remain without power through Christmas as crews work to restore power following a severe storm earlier this week.
The utility said Thursday that crews from Hilo, Waimea and Kona are continuing work to restore electric service to Hawaii Island customers impacted by the kona low storm system that brought damaging winds and flooding to the entire state. An estimated 40,000 customers lost power during the storm Monday.
Additional crews from Oahu arrived Thursday to help with repairs. All transmission lines have been restored and are back in service.
Currently, about 650 customers in Ahualoa and the Waipio Valley Road-Honoka‘a area remain without power. Because of the extensive damage, including 38 fallen spans of power lines in the Waipio Valley Road-Honokaa area, these 650 customers will not have their service restored until after Christmas, possibly not until the middle of next week.
Hawaiian Electric crews will work through the holiday weekend, including Christmas, to replace poles, power lines and other equipment damaged by the storm.
Much of the damage is in remote areas that are difficult to access, and crews have had to hike off the main roads to make damage assessments and repairs. In addition, trees and tree branches continue to fall on lines after repairs are completed.
“We know this will disrupt holiday plans for families and we can only apologize and ask for customers’ understanding of the situation,” Hawaiian Electric spokesperson Kristen Okinaka said. “The safety of our crews and the public is our priority. Given the extent of the damage and the challenging terrain, everyone is working as quickly as they can and will continue working through the holiday weekend until the job is done.”
Hawaii County has opened an emergency shelter at the Honoka‘a Sports Complex for residents with storm damage or no power to their home.
The shelter has access to power, and the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army will be on-site to assist in County efforts. The shelter is also pet friendly.
“We’ve been in constant communication with Hawaiian Electric through the storm and continue to work together to ensure that essential services are restored to our residents in a timely manner,” said Mayor Mitch Roth. “DPW Crews have been working around the clock to clear debris and repair roadways so that Hawaiian Electric is able to do their critical work. We owe those on the frontlines our deepest gratitude as they continue to selflessly serve our communities through the holiday season.”
Residents impacted by the weather system are asked to fill out the Civil Defenses Damage Assessment at https://arcg.is/1b8CS1