USA14 March, 20263 min read
HECO Crews Battle Outages as Thousands Remain Without Power Across Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island
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About 111,000 customers remained without power across Oʻahu, Maui County, and Hawaiʻi Island. Kona low storm produced heavy rain and damaging winds, hindering restoration.
Widespread Outages
Hawaiian Electric Company crews are battling widespread power outages affecting over 111,000 customers across Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii Island as severe weather conditions continue to hamper restoration efforts. The storm has caused extensive damage to electrical infrastructure, with crews working around the clock to assess damage and make repairs when weather permits.
“Pounding rain and damaging winds are challenging Hawaiian Electric crews and contractors who are working as quickly as possible to safely restore power to customers across the islands the company serves.”
Utility officials have emphasized safety as their top priority, noting that crews cannot perform repairs in dangerous weather conditions. The scale of the outages represents one of the largest power disruption events in recent Hawaiian history, with restoration timelines ranging from hours to potentially days depending on the extent of damage to critical transmission equipment.
Transmission Line Damage
Critical transmission line damage has emerged as the primary bottleneck in power restoration efforts, particularly on Oahu where crews are inspecting high-voltage lines that carry power from Leeward Oahu over the Koolau ridgeline to Windward Oahu and east Honolulu.
A helicopter was finally cleared to fly around 11 a.m. Saturday to begin inspecting storm-damaged transmission lines, with officials warning that restoration could take hours to days or longer depending on inspection results.
In Maui County, crews have rerouted service to about 4,000 South Maui customers who lost power due to a large sinkhole that developed along S. Kihei Road around 4:50 a.m., adding another layer of complexity to the restoration process.
Island-Specific Challenges
Each island faces unique challenges in power restoration, with Oahu experiencing the largest impact with approximately 76,000 customers still without power as of noon Saturday. On Hawaii Island, about 25,000 customers remain without electricity, with most outages concentrated in the Puna area, while Maui County has about 10,000 customers affected.
“As of noon: - Oʻahu: About 76,000 customers are without power in various locations. - Maui County: About 10,000 customers remain out in various areas - Hawaiʻi Island: About 25,000 customers are without power in Puna, North and South Kona, North Kohala, and South Point.”
The varying impacts reflect differences in storm intensity and local infrastructure vulnerabilities, with crews reporting different access challenges across the islands. Hawaii Island crews have restored power to about 35,600 customers, indicating significant progress despite ongoing challenges in the Puna region.
Crew Challenges
Restoration crews are facing numerous obstacles including ongoing hazardous weather conditions, flooded roads that prevent access to damage sites, and the complexity of repairing infrastructure located in mountainous areas that cannot be easily observed from populated areas. Some customers are experiencing multiple outages as additional storm damage occurs after power has been restored, creating a frustrating cycle of disruptions. Hawaiian Electric has emphasized that while crews are committed to working as long as conditions remain safe, the extent of damage and ongoing weather could lead to extended restoration periods, potentially requiring the company to rebuild parts of the electrical system in extreme cases.
Preparedness Recommendations
Hawaiian Electric is urging all customers to prepare for potential extended outages through the remainder of the weekend as the storm continues across the state. The utility has issued a series of emergency preparedness recommendations including unplugging unnecessary appliances, setting refrigerators and freezers to coldest settings, and stocking ice chests with ice or frozen ice packs.
“All customers are urged to stay prepared for potential extended outages through the remainder of the weekend as the storm continues to make its way across the state.”
The utility is also advising residents to cover windows and door openings with protective materials and to secure sliding glass doors. Hawaiian Electric has sought to dispel misinformation about implementing a Public Safety Power Shutoff Program, stating they do not anticipate implementing such measures despite 'what phony alerts have been claiming online.'