Overnight utility pole replacement in West Hawaiʻi reminds the public to report electric emergencies

Hawaiian Electric crews will replace a utility pole on Māmalahoa Highway in north Kona overnight from Thursday evening, Feb. 13, to Friday morning, Feb. 14.

The work will require an intermittent road closure of a section of Māmalahoa Highway between Kiki Way and Ho‘omau Road from 10 p.m. on Thursday to 6 a.m. on Friday. 

Motorists are advised to use an alternate route and to drive with caution if approaching the work zone. Flagmen will be onsite to provide traffic control.

The state of Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Division of Consumer Advocacy urges residents are to report emergency and non-emergency concerns when it comes to power lines and utility poles.

Residents should call 911 immediately if they observe downed power lines or sparking near a utility pole. The electric utility will then be notified by 911 dispatchers and a troubleshooter will be dispatched. 

For non-emergency concerns, such as vegetation overgrowth on power lines or damage, residents should contact their local electric utility directly.

Emergency Concerns:

• Downed Power Lines or Sparking Near a Utility Pole: 
  • Witnesses to downed power lines or sparking should call 911 immediately.
  • Never touch a downed power line or attempt to move it. Assume it is energized.
  • 911 dispatchers will notify the electric utility, and a troubleshooter will be sent.
  • For after-hours emergencies, always contact 911 first, then report it to your electric utility’s trouble line.
• Hawaiian Electric Emergency Contact Information
  • Hawaiʻi Island: 808-969-6666
  • Maui: 808-871-7777
  • Oʻahu: 1-855-304-1212
  • Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi: 1-877-871-8461
• KIUC Emergency Contact Information
  • Kauaʻi: 808-246-4300

Non-Emergency Safety Concerns:

• Vegetation Concerns or Equipment Issues Near/On Electric Utility Poles or Power Lines: 
  • Report overgrown vegetation near power lines or safety concerns related to electric utility equipment to the relevant electric utility company.
  • This document can assist with identifying electric utility equipment.
• Contacting Electric Utility Providers: 
  • Once the electric utility company has been notified, a troubleshooter will assess the risk and, if necessary, remove the potential hazard.
  • Response times vary based on the amount of volume being managed at that time.

Non-Emergency Contact Information:

• Hawaiian Electric Non-Emergency Contact Information:
  • Hawai‘i Island: 808-969-6666
  • Maui: 808-871-7777
  • O‘ahu: 808-543-7836
  • Moloka‘i, Lānaʻi: 1-877-871-8461
  • Hawaiian Electric Tree Trimming Safety
• KIUC
  • Members are encouraged to take photos and email a report to info@kiuc.coop with as much information on the location of the problem as possible.
  • Members can also send a message through Facebook Messenger with photos and location information.
  • Reports can be made by phone to 808-246-4300, but specific information on the location and a description of the problem will be necessary.

Safety Reminders:

• Never touch a downed power line or attempt to move it.
• Always assume a downed line is energized.
• Never plant vegetation below or close to power lines.
• Keep vegetation trimmed away from your home to prevent contact with power lines.
• If you see sparking or smoke near a utility pole, call 911 and report it immediately to your local electric utility company.