Crash cuts power for some in Kaimuki

Honolulu police closed a portion of Wai­alae Avenue in both directions Tuesday after a car hit a utility pole, causing a small power outage in Kaimuki.

The road was closed between Wilhelmina Rise and 13th Avenue, but all but one town-bound lane were later reopened.

The one-vehicle accident happened just after 2 p.m. and involved a car striking a utility pole at Koko Head and Wai­alae avenues. Paramedics transported the driver, a 66-year-old woman, in serious condition to a hospital.

A Honolulu Fire Department spokes­man said firefighters removed a person from the car after a HECO crew confirmed that a transformer and wires, which were hanging on the vehicle, were de-energized and that the vehicle was safe to approach.

The accident touched off a power failure that left about 270 Hawaiian Electric customers without power. Power was restored to all but 20 customers by 3 p.m. A HECO spokes­man said it could take about 12 hours to replace the damaged utility pole and restore power to the remaining 20 customers.

One town-bound lane of traffic will remain closed while repairs are being made.

Kauai officials seek location of 2 boaters

The Coast Guard is seeking help in identifying two boaters who were seen in possible distress when their small inflatable boat hit the reef off a Kauai beach Monday.

The Coast Guard said it received a call at 6:30 p.m. from a concerned hiker who observed two people in a small inflatable boat with an outboard engine striking a reef just off Kala­lau Beach. The boaters then attempted to hand-paddle their black 8-foot inflatable boat out to sea toward Haena Beach Park.The boaters were observed unsuccessfully attempting to restart their engine.

The Coast Guard and Kauai County Police and Fire departments searched for the boat but could not locate it.

Anyone with information about the two boaters is requested to contact the Coast Guard Command Center at 842-2600.