Update: Hawaiian Electric working to restore power as storm system continues

Update at 6 p.m. Jan. 30: Hawaiian Electric is working to restore power to approximately 54,000 customers on O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island and Maui County who were affected by severe thunderstorms and powerful winds.

Customers are asked to continue to plan for possible extended outages, potentially overnight, as the powerful storm system is still making its way across the island chain.

Hawaiian Electric has stated it’s working to keep outage maps and social media updated with information as it becomes available. Because of the dynamic nature of the storm system, outage numbers are subject to change as additional customers are restored and more outages occur, sometimes in the same area.

Check Hawaiian Electric outage maps at hawaiianelectric.com or the utility’s mobile app for outage information and estimated time of restoration.

Update at 3:36 p.m. Jan. 30: There were 34,034 homes and businesses without power at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday in Hawaiʻi County, according to FindEnergy.com, an independent organization with no utility or consumer advocacy influence.

That represents 38.35% of the total 88,757 customers — all of which are Hawaiian Electric customers — that the organization tracks on the Big Island.

Click here for more information.

Hawaiian Electric urges customers to prepare for the possibility of extended power outages because of the powerful storm system moving across the state.

Outages are being reported on all islands after strong winds and thunderstorms began early this morning. The utility said the number of customers and impacted areas are dynamic and will change as the storm makes its way through the island chain.

“Our crews are currently responding to outages and we want to reassure our customers that we’re on the job, ready for the impacts of this storm system,” said Jim Alberts, senior vice president and chief operations officer at Hawaiian Electric. “In the past 24 hours, we’ve increased our restoration team and have workers standing by to restore power as quickly as possible. As long as it’s safe, we’ll work continuously after the storm clears until all customers have power again.”

Alberts thanked the utility’s customers in advance for their patience with what could be a challenging couple of days.

“Please know that we’ll be out in force as soon as it’s safe to work,” he said.

Depending on the storm’s ultimate path and intensity, damage to the electrical infrastructure could be extensive.

Repairs could take longer, and in extreme cases require Hawaiian Electric to rebuild parts of its system. Flooding, fallen structures, debris and other obstacles also can affect the scope and speed of power restoration.

Immediately after the storm clears, the utility will send out teams to conduct damage assessments to estimate when repairs will be finished and power restored in each affected area.

Hawaiian Electric communicates restoration information to customers frequently through the news media and the following mobile-friendly resources:

• Hawaiian Electric website.
• Via X: @hielectriclight.
• Facebook.
• Mobile app: Free download available on the Apple Store and Google Play.

Meanwhile, there are several closures around the island because of hazardous weather conditions.

The Keahuolū Courthouse in Kailua-Kona and South Kohala District Court in Waimea were closed because of power and water outages as a result of inclement weather conditions.

Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald issued an order extending the deadline for filing documents due Thursday by one day to Friday.

Hearings or trials canceled because of the closures will be rescheduled to the next available date.

The following Hawaiʻi County facilities are also closed because of storm impacts:

• Māhukona Wharf.
• Gilbert Carvalho Park.
• Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens.
• Keaʻau Armory (closed for normal daily activities, but remains open as a shelter)
• Pāhoa Aquatic Center.

All county campsites are also closed until further notice to ensure public safety.

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense also advises because of the high wind warning in effect for the entire island, the public should:

• Consider postponing or canceling outdoor activities.
• Avoid any activity that involves using open flames such as grilling and campfires.
• Secure boats and aircraft.
• Stay clear of downed utility lines and report all hazards to authorities.
• Remember that roads can close without notice.

For official updates, visit the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense website and the National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office website.

Original post from 4:56 a.m. Jan. 30: The National Weather Service in Honolulu is making some changes to the weather advisories in place for the Big Island as a major winter storm begins to move through the islands.

Lower elevations of the island are now under a high wind warning, replacing a previous high wind watch, in effect unitl noon Friday (Jan. 31).

Forecasters expect south winds of 20 to 35 mph, with gusts reaching speeds of more than 60 mph.

Winds this strong can damage property, including roof damage, as well as blow down trees and power lines. Power outages will be possible.

Travel will also be difficult as powerful crosswinds pose a serious risk for drivers, especially in lightweight and high-profile vehicles. Motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution.

Property owners are reminded to bring loose outdoor items inside or make sure they are secured properly.

Stay away from downed power lines.

A high wind warning in effect for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa was also extended until 6 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 1), with south to southwest winds forecast to increase to 50 to 70 mph and gusts of more than 90 mph.

Winds this strong can make driving and walking dangerous. They also can forcefully open doors and damage hinges or slam doors shut, possibly causing injury.

Necessary precautions should be taken to protect property, and travel to summit areas should be delayed until high wind conditions subside.

The winter storm that is bringing high winds and heavy rains to the island also will bring periods of heavy snow later today and through Friday night to the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

A winter storm warning, replacing a previous winter storm watch, will go into effect for the summit areas of the two mountains from noon until 6 a.m. Saturday.

Total snow accumulations of 12 to 24 inches, with winds gusting as high as 85 mph will result in considerable blowing and drifting snow.

Travel could be extremely difficult and hazardous or even impossible, with blowing snow significantly reduce visibility, at times down to nothing.

Any travel plans to the summits should be postponed until conditions improve.

Hawai‘i Police Department reported Wednesday afternoon that Waipiʻo Valley Road in Hāmākua will be closed beginning at 6 a.m. today because of the flood watch in effect.

Waipiʻo Valley residents and farmers will be authorized to access the valley.

The flood watch is in effect until noon Friday because of the threat of flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall from the coming storm.

Conditions will become increasingly favorable for the development of heavy showers and possibly thunderstorms. Flood-prone roads and other low-lying areas could be closed because of elevated runoff and overflowing streams.

Urban areas also might see more significant flooding and property damage because of rapid runoff.

The public should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action if flash flood warnings are issued.