600 remain without power on Hawaii Island as HECO says crews make steady gains

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaiian Electric said it’s halved the number of customers without power Thursday as it continues to make steady progress on restoring power across Hawaiʻi Island.

Read more Number of graves impacted by Hurricane Lala at Naalehu Cemetery rises

As of 6 p.m., HECO said about 600 customers remain without power. Restoration efforts continued islandwide with crews addressing outages in Puna, North Kona, Kaʻū, Hāmākua and Honokaʻa.

Earlier Thursday, the utility restored power to Kaʻū Hospital.

The utility said as crews replace storm-damaged power lines, it’s also taking opportunities to strengthen the electric systems where possible. In certain high wildfire risk areas, aluminum wire is being replaced with copper wire as part of repair and restoration work to improve system resilience.

HECO said Wednesday’s transmission line restoration marks significant progress in recovery efforts after Hurricane Lala and strengthens the electric system serving communities in southern Hawaii Island.

As repairs are completed, HECO said crews are conducting inspections and safety checks to verify that repaired and replaced equipment is safe, operational and ready to be returned to service. Remaining outages are increasingly concentrated in smaller pockets where damage is more complex and additional work may be required before equipment can be safely energized.

Estimated restoration timeframe

Estimated restoration times are based on the best information available at the time. Times may be adjusted due to access issues, additional damage, unsafe conditions, or specialized equipment. The list below focuses on larger or more complex outage areas that are estimated to take longer to fully restore. The purpose of this list is to enable customers to make plans based on estimated restoration times.

HECO asks the public to keep in mind:

Within 24 hours for most, extended outages for some:

Beyond 48 hours, significant extended outage possible

5-7 days

By Sept. 8 for full restoration; many sooner

Power outage maps by county

Check for updates and report outages

In addition to outage maps, HECO recommends following them online, and on their social media accounts on Twitter/X @HwnElectric, @mauielectric, and @hielectriclight, and on Facebook.

The company released maps with estimated times of restoration for areas that remain without power.

On Kauaʻi, follow KIUC on Facebook or signup for text or email outage notifications via SmartHub.

California crews assist on Hawaiʻi Island

To help speed up recovery, mutual assistance utility workers from Southern California Edison deployed to Hawaiʻi Island, joining more than 500 local employees and contractors working to restore some of the hardest-hit areas that saw severe flash flooding and extreme winds.

Lala passed south of Hawaii first as a hurricane, then a tropical storm. Hawaiian Electric said flooding, uprooted trees and unstable ground limited crew access and slowed restoration efforts.

Crews were forced to temporarily suspend work during the peak of the storm because high winds made it unsafe for workers to operate bucket trucks 30 to 40 feet in the air.

Read more HPD warns of new scam demanding fake ‘ankle monitor’ payments

The utility said several major transmission lines — the backbone of the power grid — were heavily damaged. Because some span miles of mountainous terrain, repairs could be especially difficult and may require crews to hike into affected areas.

Preparation tips

Free emergency preparation and safety tips are available on hawaiianelectric.com/stormcenter or via their downloadable Handbook for Emergency Preparedness, which is offered in multiple languages and a children’s version.

RELATED LINK: Download Hawaii News Now’s hurricane kit checklist

Report downed power lines

Customers in Hawaii, Maui, and Honolulu counties can call Hawaiian Electric’s Trouble Lines to report any downed power lines, which should always be treated as energized and dangerous.

Customers on Kauaʻi can call the Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative at (808) 246-4300.

Safety guidelines during outages

Utility officials are urging residents to stay away from downed power lines, flooding, and debris, as dangerous conditions persist. Downed power lines should always be treated as energized and dangerous. The public must stay at least 30 feet away and immediately report any sparking electrical equipment.

If you are using a portable generator, make sure it is placed in a well-ventilated area outside the home, and be sure to carefully follow all instructions in the manufacturer’s manual.

Drivers should also use caution around crews working along roadways and treat intersections with non-working traffic signals as four-way stops.

Click here for additional safety information.

Filing damage claims

Hawaiian Electric is warning customers about misinformation circulating regarding filing claims after a power outage.

Hawaiian Electric is not responsible for losses “caused by accident, storm, fire, strikes, riots, war, public safety power shutoff or any cause not within the company’s control through the exercise of reasonable diligence and care.”

Uncovered losses include:

More information on filing damage claims can be found on Hawaiian Electric’s website.

Read more First Alert Forecast: Tracking more developing storms and for now the trades hold