UPDATE: Water restriction lifted for North Kohala residents

Update 2:21 p.m. Nov. 13: Effective immediately, the water restriction notice for affected North Kohala customers is canceled.  Normal water use may resume. 

Original post: A water restriction notice has been issued for North Kohala communities due to a power outage in the area.

The Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply is requiring customers to reduce water use by 25%. Affected areas include Hāwī to Hala‘ula, as well as Puakea Bay, Ka‘auhuhu Homesteads, ‘Āinakea Village Subdivision and all customers along Akoni Pule Highway, Mill and Ma‘ulili Roads.

According to the Hawaiian Electric power outage map, approximately 2,111 customers in North Kohala have been impacted by the outage caused by downed trees.

Reducing water use will help to maintain water levels in the storage tanks for all customers, county officials stated in a news release. It is unknown when electrical service will be restored.

Until power is restored, the Department of Water Supply will use an emergency backup generator to operate Hāwī #2 well and station a water tanker at the intersection of Hāwī and Kohala Mountain Roads for the community’s use.

The county asks customers to conserve drinking water, use it wisely and don’t waste it. To learn more ways to conserve water, visit the DWS website at www.hawaiidws.org, call 808-887-3030 or 808-961-8050 during normal business hours or email dws@hawaiidws.org.

For after-hours emergencies, call 808-961-8790.