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Gusty wind of up to
50 mph blew through Windward Oahu on Monday, causing power failures and other wind-related problems.
As many as 8,000 Hawaiian Electric Co. customers were without power at one point, but by 8 p.m. Monday the number had gone down to 600, HECO spokeswoman Shannon Tangonan said. Branches falling onto power lines and lines swinging into other lines were among the causes.
The southwesterly wind flow combined with a dry, stable air mass caused the wind to accelerate as it moved over the Koolaus and sped downslope, the National Weather Service said. Sustained wind was up to
30 mph on Oahu and Kauai.
The Honolulu Fire Department responded to 26 wind-related emergencies between 10 a.m. and
8:30 p.m., mostly from Waimanalo to Kaneohe.
They included 16 blown roofs, five downed trees and five electrical hazards such as downed power lines or arcing wires.
Police also closed portions of Kaneohe Bay Drive because of a snapped utility pole.
The Pali Golf Course was closed Monday afternoon because high wind posed a safety concern to golfers because of falling branches. The golf course lost electricity, and power had not been restored as of 3:53 p.m.
