FRIDAY UPDATE 6 P.M.: Hawaiian Electric restores power to parts of Napili, Puukolii, Mahinahina
Working to restore pocket of Upcountry customers
Release Date: 8/11/2023
KAHULUI, Aug. 11, 2023 – Hawaiian Electric has restored power to one of three main transmission lines serving West Maui and restored service to some customers in Napili, Puukolii, and Mahinahina where essential public services, such as water pumps, and first responder facilities are located.
Crews are continuing work to restore remaining pockets in these areas and restoring additional essential public services and facilities serving first responders in the Kapalua area. The number of customers restored is still relatively small and the aim is for additional circuits to be brought online tonight and this weekend.
Restoring transmission lines is an essential first step in the restoration process. Transmission lines are the backbone of the electric system, bringing electricity from generating stations to neighborhoods. From there, substations and neighborhood circuits need to be repaired to restore service to customers.
Hawaiian Electric is currently focusing on:
- Upcountry: Restoring remaining pockets of customers, where an estimated 70 customers remain out of power.
- Advising customers in other areas of West Maui without power to prepare for extended outages that could last several weeks. Crews are continuing to conduct additional damage assessments by helicopter in the air and on the ground and starting restoration repairs in areas that are safe and accessible.
- Reminding everyone to exercise caution as certain areas are brought back online, to stay away from downed power lines – at least 30 feet or more (at least two car lengths). If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and dangerous. Report downed lines immediately by calling Hawaiian Electric’s Maui Trouble Line at 808-871-7777.
About 300 Hawaiian Electric employees and contractors from Maui, Oahu, Hawaii Island, Molokai and Lanai are working on the massive damage assessment, repair and restoration effort. The company’s Incident Management Team continues to coordinate closely with Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency and other emergency response organizations.
Updates are also available at www.hawaiianelectric.com/windstormresponse.
