Storm aid flows in as outages, debris persist

A week after Tropical Storm Iselle walloped the Big Island, residents are still stinging from its effects, including many without homes and 6,300 Puna residents without power.

The Hawaii Red Cross said 21 people stayed overnight Tuesday at the Pahoa Community Center, which provides meals and cots as well as a place to shower and charge phones. Since Aug. 7 there have been about 2,231 overnight stays at 32 shelters statewide, the Red Cross said.

Nurses and trained mental health workers were also on-site at Red Cross shelters, providing more than 91 health contacts and 700 so-called "emotional support" contacts over the past few days.

Red Cross volunteers and state and county workers continued Thursday to distribute ice, water, flashlights, bleach, batteries and other supplies.

The state said 180,000 pounds of ice has been delivered to Hawaii County since Monday as well as dry ice, disaster kits and other equipment.

A joint effort in door-to-door visits continues to ensure people are safe and have food and water in Nanawale, Kalapana, Kapoho and Pohoiki, the state said.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources estimates the storm brought down or damaged thousands of trees, mostly invasive albizias, which toppled and trapped people on their properties, DLNR said.

DLNR teams with chain saws and heavy equipment helped clear the foliage.

Hawaii Electric Light Co. crews restored power Thursday to 1,400 customers in the Puna district, HELCO said.

"The magnitude of damage, especially concentrated in the Puna district, is greater than we’ve ever seen," said HELCO spokesman Darren Pai. "Our preliminary estimate is that more than 200 utility poles and 130 transformers were damaged and need to be replaced."

More than 200 workers have been mobilized to work in the field, including 26 electrical line crews, 14 tree-trimming crews and 30 construction crews to dig holes for utility poles.

About 30 more crew members are expected to arrive from Oahu, Maui, Kauai and contracted companies.

Contracted tree-trimming and construction crews are working to clear fallen trees and debris and dig holes for utility poles. Electrical line crews can then install poles, frame the cross arms, restring lines and install transformers and other equipment.

Main lines serving subdivisions are repaired first.

Hawaii County Civil Defense said Thursday false rumors are circulating that generators are being distributed to the public.

Civil Defense also said county crews, state highways and forestry crews, the Hawaii National Guard and private contractors are continuing to clear debris and roads.

"All affected subdivisions currently have access to the highways and main roadways," a news release said. "However, there may be debris and obstructions within the subdivision roadways."

Civil Defense reported telephone service providers are continuing to restore service. Verizon service is back, while AT&T has re-established intermittent coverage.

The agency also said the county Department of Environmental Management is waiving tipping fees for disaster debris.

The county’s Office of Housing and Community Development and the Hawaii National Guard are continuing damage assessments.

Those whose property was damaged can go for information and services to disaster assistance and recovery centers. They will be set up at Pahoa Community Center from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and at Mountain View Gym from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.