Thousands lose power during Super Bowl broadcast
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
HPD directed traffic at the intersection of Kamehameha Highway and Pali Highway due to power outages today.
HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC CO.
Hawaiian Electric has an online outage map with updated information on outages. Click here for the map.
Thousands of Hawaii football fans may have experienced power interruptions during today’s Super Bowl because of the wind.
A Hawaiian Electric Co. spokeswoman said the utility has been responding to a number of wind-related outages in Windward Oahu today, including in Kaneohe, Kailua, Kahuku, and Hawaii Kai.
“The situation has been fluid as some customers may have experienced several momentary flickers or a prolonged outage,” said Sharon Higa, HECO spokeswoman.
She said additional crews were working today and were responding as quickly as possible to reports of outages.
Higa said HECO appreciated customers’ patience as strong winds blew across Oahu. Parts of the island were under a wind advisory from noon today to 6 p.m. Monday.
At about 4:20 p.m., HECO’s Twitter page reported thousands of customers without power: 1,300 in Maunawili, 4,845 in Kaneohe, and 1,080 in Hawaii Kai.
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Earlier, at 2:30 p.m. HECO’s outage map reported multiple outages in Kaneohe, Kailua, Hawaii Kai, and Aina Haina.
More than 3,000 customers were affected by an outage in Heeia and Kaneohe. Some 1,700 customers experienced an hour-long outage in Hahaione, Hawaii Kai, and Kuliouou, according to the map where HECO customers can also report outages.
HECO responded via Twitter to several irate customers commenting about the power interruptions during the game.
April Otte Duggan said on Twitter that the power went out for the 6th time at about 2:15 p.m.
“I have only seen 3 minutes of game.. grrrr,” she wrote.
Super Bowl LI started at 1:30 p.m. and was in the fourth quarter just before 5 p.m.
“Thank you for your patience,” HECO responded to Duggan on Twitter. “Crews are currently addressing.”
33 responses to “Thousands lose power during Super Bowl broadcast”
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predictable
My PV battery storage system installed last year saved the day. Now all my friends are interested in a estimate for CSS.
right-on sir.
Hawaiian electric SUX! We need competition to bring down cost and increase quality!
Vote republican
That’s the only way.
Republicans don’t want renewable energy. If you want to watch uninterrupted football, get a photovoltaic system.
Too bad there isn’t a plan to convert to underground utilities. One direct hit on Oahu from a hurricane and this entire island will be crippled with poles and wires down everywhere. Lots of people will be stranded.
Underground wires is not a complete answer. Underground fires and electric explosions have happened. some in the middle of town!
yup. and ask mililani residents how many times they’ve had outages even though their wires are underground. it’s not foolproof.
Lady Gaga was awesome.
And she stayed classy by leaving politics out of the halftime show. 100% more class than Madonna has.
Except for the commercials, too pic for me…
Except for the commercials, too pc for me…
Atlanta Falcons had power outage too!
good one.
Didn’t this happen years ago during another Super Bowl?
Yea, or maybe it was the cable that went out… So thin cut the game
Y’all need to lay off HECO. I saw the game. IT WAS GREAT!!! BEST SUPER BOWL EVER!! Amazing comeback by the Pats. Every moment of the second half was “edge of your seat”. Each possession ater the half was do or die. Was definitely a “watching history” experience. Couldn’t leave the TV for a second ’cause you never knew what you might miss. Amazing. Every single play mattered. Can’t imagine not being able to watch. But then again, wouldn’t have known what I was missing if there hadn’t been electrical power. THANK YOU HECO for providing sufficient power so I could see the game.
Yea, I had power, and had my 2kw Honda tensest just in case…Boy Scout always prepared…
What??? How about HECO why is it that power goes out on semi-gusty but routine winter storms? First a strong trade wind event the other week and now strong South Westerlies ahead of a cold front that happens multiple times every winter. PUC and Consumer advocate, where are you? Grid reliability is a big deal! If routine inclement weather causes this much mayhem then what happens when we have a real storm?
At this rate how will HECO power the rail when the wind whips up?
Sails.
what can go wrong will go wrong. Power delivery during highly popular event….and second half for the falcons.
Mother nature was relentless. Winds was mean.
Yea, 20 knots pretty strong…right
Thats really nothing, routine…our grid should be able to handle 60 knots but it does not. PUC take action!
they will once the rate increase is approved to fix the grid
Obama’s fault. He controls the winds.
ha,ha, funny.
What this situation shows is you don’t want this utility holding ALL the marbles; as recent articles show, HECO wants to eventually control anything related to SOLAR. Folks, don’t let that happen, make your voices count and let your political representatives know how you feel. SOLAR FOR EVERYONE, along with batteries as back-up for times like this.
doesn’t matter who controls the grid, the simple fact is there is a limited supply of intermittent power that the grid can handle. energy storage solutions will improve that in the future when it becomes financially feasible and before anyone asks why solar farms are allowed when the nem and grid-supply programs have been discontinued the puc intentionally ended them earlier so there would still be room on the grid for solar farms. remember the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. a customer’s rooftop pv benefits only that customer (unless they let their credits expire) while solar farms benefit everybody with lower rates.
A 10K tri-fuel back up gen set with a transfer switch installed into your homes grid will get you through all outages/emergencies if you don’t have PV with “Battry” back up or both like me! LOL!