Update: Water conservation notice for North Kohala canceled

Update at 2:04 p.m. Sept. 20: The water conservation notice previously issued for North Kohala customers is canceled. Normal water use can resume.

Customers living in Kohala are being asked to reduce their water use by 10%.

Original post at 11:41 a.m. Sept. 20: According to Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply, water conservation is necessary because of an unexpected electrical outage that Hawaiian Electric is currently working to repair and restore power.

According to Hawaiian Electric, crews found a broken pole which possibly was caused by a motor vehicle accident. Crews will replace the pole today. No restoration time is available at this time.

County crews are using its backup emergency generator to pump drinking water from one of its wells in Hāwī. A DWS water tanker is stationed for the public’s use near the Hawaiian Electric substation at the top of Hāwī Road.

The water reduction affects customers living in Hāwī to Hala‘ula, including Puakea Bay, Ka‘auhuhu Homesteads, ‘Āinakea Village Subdivision and all customers along Akoni Pule Highway, Mill and Ma‘ulili Roads.

Updates will be posted at www.hawaiidws.org.

The Department of Water Supply is asking customers to conserve drinking water, use it wisely, and not waste it. Taking short showers, fixing leaky plumbing and toilets, irrigating efficiently, and turning off the faucet while brushing teeth are easy ways to reduce water use.

To learn more ways to conserve water, visit the DWS website at www.hawaiidws.org, call 808-961-8050 during normal business hours or email dws@hawaiidws.org. For after-hours emergencies, call 808-961-8790.