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HECO restores power to East Oahu

COURTESY HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC
                                About 4,000 feet of 46-kilovolt transmission line fell across a second transmission line, taking both lines out of service.
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COURTESY HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC

About 4,000 feet of 46-kilovolt transmission line fell across a second transmission line, taking both lines out of service.

20180823-7903 CTY HECO
PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA
This is Mike Ryder (Senior Supervisor of Operations) is next to one to the HECO trucks.  HECO has the crews and equipment ready (at their Ward Ave. headquarters) to deploy to repair electrical outages resulting from high winds and rain from Hurricane Lane.  PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA.  AUG. 23, 2018.
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Swipe or click to see more

20180823-7903 CTY HECO PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA This is Mike Ryder (Senior Supervisor of Operations) is next to one to the HECO trucks. HECO has the crews and equipment ready (at their Ward Ave. headquarters) to deploy to repair electrical outages resulting from high winds and rain from Hurricane Lane. PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA. AUG. 23, 2018.

COURTESY HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC
                                About 4,000 feet of 46-kilovolt transmission line fell across a second transmission line, taking both lines out of service.
20180823-7903 CTY HECO
PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA
This is Mike Ryder (Senior Supervisor of Operations) is next to one to the HECO trucks.  HECO has the crews and equipment ready (at their Ward Ave. headquarters) to deploy to repair electrical outages resulting from high winds and rain from Hurricane Lane.  PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA.  AUG. 23, 2018.

UPDATE: 3:59 p.m.

Hawaiian Electric has restored power to customers in Manoa on Oahu and 2,518 customers in the Pukalana area of Maui.

“Heavy call volume to our trouble line may result in some calls not getting through. Please call again or DM your information to us. Mahalo for your patience,” according to a tweet.

11 a.m.

Hawaiian Electric said as of 10:45 a.m., today crews have restored power to an estimated 1,353 customers without power since Sunday afternoon in Hawaii Kai.

The outages were caused by damage to one of the main transmission lines that bring power across the Koolau mountains into Hawaii Kai and the East Honolulu area, Hawaiian Electric said. About 4,000 feet of 46-kilovolt line fell across a second transmission line, taking both lines out of service.

Earlier today, Hawaiian Electric inspectors used a helicopter to survey the damage just below the Koolau ridgeline.

Crews today are cutting through dense vegetation on the Waimanalo side of the ridgeline to clear an access path for work trucks. Although the weather is favorable, heavy rains have created wet and muddy conditions.

Once that is complete, the damaged line will be removed from the second transmission line.

These repairs, however, are considered temporary and will leave only one transmission line feeding the Hawaii Kai and East Honolulu area.

“Hawaiian Electric will develop a long-term plan to repair the damaged line to provide backup power to the area,” said the company in a news release.

Forecasters, meanwhile, expect the wet pattern to continue over the eastern end of the state today as a cold front continues to head east.

A more typical tradewind pattern is expected to return Wednesday through the west of the week.

A high wind warning for Big Isle summits, and a wind advisory for Haleakala Summit, remain in place through 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Monday, 10:15 a.m.

Hawaii island residents may experience rolling power outages this morning and this evening due to generation shortfalls, Hawaiian Electric said today.

“The impacted areas and the timing of the outages are based on the amount of electric demand that needs to be reduced,” HECO said in a social media post. “Last night, 21,557 customers around the island experienced a 30-minute outage starting at 8:54 p.m. and ending at 9:59 p.m.”

Alerts and updates will be posted on HECO’S Facebook and X accounts. Hawaii County Civil Defense also will send emergency alerts through local radio and its Everbridge emergency notification system.

6:30 a.m.

The ongoing power outages have forced four East Oahu schools to close today.

Kaiser High School, and Kamiloiki, Hahaione and Koko Head Elementary schools are closed today, according to the state Department of Education.

More than 1,300 customers remain without power in East Oahu, according to Hawaiian Electric.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Sunday, 9:45 p.m.

Hawaiian Electric has restored electricity to the majority of customers in Hawaii Kai and East Honolulu but about 2,200 customers will remain without power tonight and through most of Monday, the utility said in a news release tonight.

The company said the outage was caused by damage to one of the main transmission lines that bring power across the Koolau mountains into the Hawaii Kai/East Honolulu area. About 4,000 feet of 46-kilovolt line fell across a second transmission line, taking both lines out of service. The damage occured in an area of steep terrain in the Kuli‘ou‘ou Forest Reserve and without the ability to use a helicopter because of the weather, it’s difficult to reach.

Because of darkness, rain and the challenging terrain, crews cut part of the downed power line so a section of the other transmission line could be reenergized, restoring power to about 11,000 customers. Weather permitting, inspection crews will use a helicopter to fly above the area and develop a repair plan and schedule to replace the damaged line.

The remaining 2,200 customers are largely located in the vicitinity of Kaiser High School, Kamiloiki School and Hanauma Bay. They are expected to be without power through most of the day and Hawaiian Electric said it’s possible there will be additional outages as crews work to safely make repairs.

For updates and alerts, follow Hawaiian Electric on Facebook (facebook.com/HawaiianElectric), Twitter/X (twitter.com/hwnelectric) or via its free mobile app (available on Apple App and Google Play stores).

9:30 p.m.

Some Hawaiian Electric customers in Hawaii Kai are now reporting that power has been restored.

9:15 p.m.

Hawaiian Electric initiated brief rolling outages on Hawaii island starting at 8:45 tonight due to a generation shortfall. The emergency outages affect various areas around the island. The timing will depend on customer usage and available generation.

Customers are asked to immediately conserve electricity for the rest of the evening. Suggestions include turning off air conditioning and unneeded lighting, shutting off water heaters, and delaying activities like cooking, showering, laundry and dishwashing.

9 p.m.

A flood watch for Oahu was canceled tonight while a flood watch for Maui County is expected to remain in effect through Monday.

8:30 p.m.

About 13,000 Hawaii Kai utility customers may be without power overnight.

The state’s largest utility, Hawaiian Electric, posted at 7:15 tonight on X (formerly Twitter) that it is making repairs to damage caused by heavy rain and severe weather. Hawaiian Electric said the outage was caused by damage to one of the main transmission lines that bring power across the Koolau mountains. It said about 4,000 feet of a 46-kilovolt line fell across a second transmission line, taking both lines out of service.

Hawaiian Electric said that if it can reach the site, crews will use a weighted rope to try to pull the damaged line off the other line so it can be energized.

But the utility cautioned that if the crews aren’t successful, repairs will have to wait until daylight on Monday.

6:30 p.m.

The cold front has moved through Kauai and the threat of heavy rain has ended. Thus, the flood watch has been canceled. A flood watch remains in effect for Oahu and Maui County through Monday. The front is expected to push through Oahu late tonight and through Maui County late Monday.

The front is starting to move down the island chain and is producing a band of moderate to locally heavy rain ahead of the front with improving weather conditions and westerly winds behind the front. The frontal boundary should be northeast of the Big Island by Tuesday. Expect a more typical trade wind pattern to return with showers favoring windward and mauka locations through the second half of the week.

4:30 p.m.

A flood advisory is in effect for Oahu until 7:15 p.m. today.

A flood advisory means flooding is expected or occurring but is not considered a significant threat to lives and properties.

At 4:12 p.m., the radar indicated heavy rain moving for Oahu with rain falling at a rate of 2 inches per hour.

The flood advisory for Kauai remains in effect until 5 p.m. today.

At 3:51 p.m., the radar showed showers tapering off Kauai with rain falling at a rate of up to 1 inch per hour as area streams remain elevated.

Over 12,200 Hawaiian Electric Co. customers in Aina Haina, Hahaione, Hawaii Kai, Hawaii Loa Ridge, Kalama Valley, Kamiloiki, Koko Head, Koko Marina, Niu Valley, Portlock, Wailupe, Waimanalo were reported to be without power. Over 1,200 customers were without power in Ala Moana, Kapahulu, Kinau, Makiki, Manoa, McCully, Moiliili, St. Louis Heights and Tantalus. Over 1,300 customers in Kawailoa, Pupukea and Sunset Beach were reported to be without power.

2:25 p.m.

The flash flood warning for Kauai County has expired, but a flood advisory remains in effect until 5 p.m. today.

At 1:41 p.m., the radar indicated heavy rain moving over Kauai at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour. A flood watch is also in effect until 6 a.m. Monday.

The flood watch is still in effect for Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe through Monday afternoon due to possible excessive rainfall.

Meanwhile, multiple power outages were reported across Oahu according to the Hawaiian Electric outage map.

EARLIER COVERAGE

A flash flood warning is in effect until 2 p.m. today for Kauai County, while a flood watch is in effect for Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe through Monday afternoon.

At 11:12 a.m., the radar indicated heavy rain over Kauai as Kauai Emergency Management Agency reported several roads across the island becoming impassable from water over roadways, according to the National Weather Service. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, while flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

“Stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches, and culverts, even if they are currently dry,” forecasters said. “Do not cross fast-flowing or rising water in your vehicle, or on foot. Turn around, don’t drown.”

Meanwhile, flash flooding caused by excessive rainfalls remains possible for Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe. Flash flooding is also expected for Kauai and Niihau through late tonight.

“Flood-prone roads and other low-lying areas may be closed due to elevated runoff and overflowing streams. Urban areas may receive more significant flooding and property damage due to rapid runoff,” according to the forecast.

Forecasters said periods of heavy showers and thunderstorms along with a slow-moving front remain possible through Monday, while conditions are expected to improve from west to east Monday night through Tuesday as dry air arrives.

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