Power Interruption Hits Over 20,000 on Big Island
Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO) announced this evening that a power interruption hit a significant number of its Big Island customers at 3:53 p.m. today.
HELCO said that approximately 20,095 customers in Waikoloa, Kailua, Waiakea Uka, Lower Puna and other parts of Hawaii Island were without power after a HELCO transmission line tripped open, subsequently tripping Puna Geothermal Venture off line as well.
Reserve generators were started, and service to all affected customers was restored by 4:08 p.m. The exact cause of the line trip is still being investigated.
The company apologized to its affected customers in a statement issued to the media.