Maui families trapped for days after Lala’s winds topple 75-foot tree, utility lines

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Residents along Oili Road in Haiku said trees falling during strong winds is somewhat of a norm for them.

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“It’s common. We have eucalyptus all over the place and trees are always falling,” area resident Zach Grossman said.

But on Saturday, Lala’s whipping winds toppled over the largest tree Grossman and his family, who have been there for decades, have ever seen.

“This is the first time we’ve had our driveway blocked,” Grossman said.

The tree, which a neighbor estimated was at least 75 feet high, took down a utility pole and its wires with it, barricading three properties and trapping Grossman and his neighbors.

As with many across the islands, the Oili Road residents were also left without power.

“Could you imagine, we couldn’t even leave the property,” Grossman’s mother Pamela said.

There was also no way in with a vehicle, which worried Pamela.

“My husband is 81 and he has some illnesses that we end up, calling the ambulance and the fire department police department all show up,” Pamela explained. “They would not be able to get through and that would pose a danger for my husband.”

The Grossmans and their neighbors were trying to get a Hawaiian Electric crew to remove the wires and replace the pole since it all came crashing down Saturday.

Read more Waikiki outages persist as HECO works to strengthen grid

“We’ve tried and number one, it’s really hard getting in touch with them,” Pamela added.

Then on Monday, Hawai’i News Now was there when a HECO crew arrived began work.

Pamela said the workers stayed overnight, clearing the old pole and installing a new one. She expressed her gratitude for the workers, who she called “awesome.”

“I’m hoping that these guys that are now here are from the phone calls that we’ve been trying to make,” Pamela said.

The Grossmans and their neighbors said they were anxiously awaiting for HECO to take out the pole and cables tangled in branches because once complete, they could handle removing the tree themselves.

Pamela also reported as of Tuesday afternoon, her power was restored, adding, “kudos to those hard-working crews.”

Hawaiian Electric sent HNN the following statement Tuesday morning:

We understand residents’ concerns and appreciate their patience following the severe weather impacts. For this particular area, it has been cleared and restorations are taking place to restore the 5 customers in this area. Throughout this storm, please know our crews are working to repair damage and restore power as quickly and safely as possible. During major weather events, we follow a storm restoration process:

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