State to give aid to Oahu residents without power
Gov. Neil Abercrombie says state agencies and the National Guard will provide aide to Oahu residents without power because of a damaging storm compounded by a strike by electric workers.
A statement from his office says the state will coordinate with emergency providers to set up assistance centers in Ewa Beach and Windward areas.
Abercrombie says the groups "will provide help for anyone who needs it."
About 2,000 customers in the Ewa Beach neighborhood were without power Saturday after a storm.
Hawaiian Electric Co. says it expects to take longer than usual restoring power because of a strike by the company’s unionized workers.
About 1,300 employees went on strike Friday after contract talks between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260 and the electric company’s management broke down.
