Cleanup underway after 6.0 Hawaii Island earthquake causes damage, outages

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island residents are continuing cleanup efforts after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake shook the state Friday night, causing damage, rockslides, and power outages across parts of South Kona.

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The earthquake struck at about 9:46 p.m. near Honaunau and was felt statewide.

At 10 a.m. Saturday, Hawaiian Electric issued an update reporting about 1,000 customers lost power during the earthquake, primarily in South Kona.

Most service has since been restored, though about 70 customers remained without electricity as crews continued repair work. Utility officials also said a separate motor vehicle crash in Keauhou caused outages affecting about 20 customers.

Hawaii County Civil Defense administrator Talmadge Magno said emergency crews activated immediately after the quake and worked overnight to reopen roads and restore utilities.

“As soon as the earthquake happened and we activated the EOC, crews are responding,” Magno said. “By this morning already, we’ve got all roads open.”

Officials said multiple rockslides closed roadways from Kau through the Captain Cook and Kealakekua areas overnight, though all roads had reopened by Saturday morning.

County officials said at least one family required assistance from the American Red Cross after their home shifted off its foundation during the quake.

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“The most hazardous items, like we tell people, go check their utility connections,” Magno said. “Your electricity, your water, gas lines, make sure those are intact.”

Magno said crews also received reports of broken water lines following the quake.

“Be aware of unstable items that might be on walls or furniture or whatever items that might be possible to fall over,” Magno said.

The U.S. Geological Survey and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the earthquake was not related to volcanic activity at Mauna Loa or Kilauea.

Residents and businesses who experienced earthquake damage are encouraged to report it through the Hawaii County Civil Defense’s disaster recovery portal:

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