800 Puna customers regain power; 1,900 remain in dark

Hawaii Electric Light Co. crews spent another long day clearing debris, digging holes for utility poles and repairing main lines in an effort to restore electricity to the upper Puna area.

Some 800 customers regained service on Saturday. About 1,900 were still without electricity as HELCO crews reported back to work on Sunday.

The area absorbed the brunt of Tropical Storm Iselle, which felled trees, damaged homes and downed power lines.

The massive effort to restore power was undertaken on Sunday by 26 electrical line crews, 19 tree-trimming crews and 30 construction crews. The combined workforce was made up of utility workers and contractors from Hawaii island, Oahu, Maui and Kauai.

Sunday’s efforts focused on Nanawele Estates, Leilani Estates, Seaview Estates, Kapoho, Hawaiian Beaches/Hawaiian Shores, and Hawaiian Paradise Park.

HELCO reiterated that it could take three weeks or more to restore power to the hardest-hit areas. A HELCO customer information center, located at the Leilani Estates Community Center, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for those with questions or concerns about the ongoing repairs. The center also offers a charging station for electronic devices.

Meanwhile, the Hawaii Red Cross Shelter at the Pahoa Community Center will be closing at noon Monday. Red Cross client caseworkers are working to help with alternative arrangements for shelter residents who cannot return to their homes due to the storm.

On Saturday night, 23 overnight residents were staying at the shelter.

The Red Cross will continue to distribute relief supplies to targeted areas in the days ahead.