UPDATE:
9:45 p.m.
Hawaiian Electric has restored electricity to the majority of customers in Hawaii Kai and East Honolulu but about 2,200 customers will remain without power tonight and through most of Monday, the utility said in a news release tonight.
The company said the outage was caused by damage to one of the main transmission lines that bring power across the Koolau mountains into the Hawaii Kai/East Honolulu area. About 4,000 feet of 46-kilovolt line fell across a second transmission line, taking both lines out of service. The damage occured in an area of steep terrain in the Kuli‘ou‘ou Forest Reserve and without the ability to use a helicopter because of the weather, it’s difficult to reach.
Because of darkness, rain and the challenging terrain, crews cut part of the downed power line so a section of the other transmission line could be reenergized, restoring power to about 11,000 customers. Weather permitting, inspection crews will use a helicopter to fly above the area and develop a repair plan and schedule to replace the damaged line.
The remaining 2,200 customers are largely located in the vicitinity of Kaiser High School, Kamiloiki School and Hanauma Bay. They are expected to be without power through most of the day and Hawaiian Electric said it’s possible there will be additional outages as crews work to safely make repairs.
For updates and alerts, follow Hawaiian Electric on Facebook (facebook.com/HawaiianElectric), Twitter/X (twitter.com/hwnelectric) or via its free mobile app (available on Apple App and Google Play stores).
9:30 p.m.
Some Hawaiian Electric customers in Hawaii Kai are now reporting that power has been restored.
9:15 p.m.
Hawaiian Electric initiated brief rolling outages on Hawaii island starting at 8:45 tonight due to a generation shortfall. The emergency outages affect various areas around the island. The timing will depend on customer usage and available generation.
Customers are asked to immediately conserve electricity for the rest of the evening. Suggestions include turning off air conditioning and unneeded lighting, shutting off water heaters, and delaying activities like cooking, showering, laundry and dishwashing.
9 p.m.
A flood watch for Oahu was canceled tonight while a flood watch for Maui County is expected to remain in effect through Monday.
8:30 p.m.
About 13,000 Hawaii Kai utility customers may be without power overnight.
The state’s largest utility, Hawaiian Electric, posted at 7:15 tonight on X (formerly Twitter) that it is making repairs to damage caused by heavy rain and severe weather. Hawaiian Electric said the outage was caused by damage to one of the main transmission lines that bring power across the Koolau mountains. It said about 4,000 feet of a 46-kilovolt line fell across a second transmission line, taking both lines out of service.
Hawaiian Electric said that if it can reach the site, crews will use a weighted rope to try to pull the damaged line off the other line so it can be energized.
But the utility cautioned that if the crews aren’t successful, repairs will have to wait until daylight on Monday.
6:30 p.m.
The cold front has moved through Kauai and the threat of heavy rain has ended. Thus, the flood watch has been canceled. A flood watch remains in effect for Oahu and Maui County through Monday. The front is expected to push through Oahu late tonight and through Maui County late Monday.
The front is starting to move down the island chain and is producing a band of moderate to locally heavy rain ahead of the front with improving weather conditions and westerly winds behind the front. The frontal boundary should be northeast of the Big Island by Tuesday. Expect a more typical trade wind pattern to return with showers favoring windward and mauka locations through the second half of the week.
4:30 p.m.
A flood advisory is in effect for Oahu until 7:15 p.m. today.
A flood advisory means flooding is expected or occurring but is not considered a significant threat to lives and properties.
At 4:12 p.m., the radar indicated heavy rain moving for Oahu with rain falling at a rate of 2 inches per hour.
The flood advisory for Kauai remains in effect until 5 p.m. today.
At 3:51 p.m., the radar showed showers tapering off Kauai with rain falling at a rate of up to 1 inch per hour as area streams remain elevated.
Over 12,200 Hawaiian Electric Co. customers in Aina Haina, Hahaione, Hawaii Kai, Hawaii Loa Ridge, Kalama Valley, Kamiloiki, Koko Head, Koko Marina, Niu Valley, Portlock, Wailupe, Waimanalo were reported to be without power. Over 1,200 customers were without power in Ala Moana, Kapahulu, Kinau, Makiki, Manoa, McCully, Moiliili, St. Louis Heights and Tantalus. Over 1,300 customers in Kawailoa, Pupukea and Sunset Beach were reported to be without power.
2:25 p.m.
The flash flood warning for Kauai County has expired, but a flood advisory remains in effect until 5 p.m. today.
At 1:41 p.m., the radar indicated heavy rain moving over Kauai at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour. A flood watch is also in effect until 6 a.m. Monday.
The flood watch is still in effect for Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe through Monday afternoon due to possible excessive rainfall.
Meanwhile, multiple power outages were reported across Oahu according to the Hawaiian Electric outage map.
EARLIER COVERAGE
A flash flood warning is in effect until 2 p.m. today for Kauai County, while a flood watch is in effect for Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe through Monday afternoon.
At 11:12 a.m., the radar indicated heavy rain over Kauai as Kauai Emergency Management Agency reported several roads across the island becoming impassable from water over roadways, according to the National Weather Service. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, while flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
“Stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches, and culverts, even if they are currently dry,” forecasters said. “Do not cross fast-flowing or rising water in your vehicle, or on foot. Turn around, don’t drown.”
Meanwhile, flash flooding caused by excessive rainfalls remains possible for Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe. Flash flooding is also expected for Kauai and Niihau through late tonight.
“Flood-prone roads and other low-lying areas may be closed due to elevated runoff and overflowing streams. Urban areas may receive more significant flooding and property damage due to rapid runoff,” according to the forecast.
Forecasters said periods of heavy showers and thunderstorms along with a slow-moving front remain possible through Monday, while conditions are expected to improve from west to east Monday night through Tuesday as dry air arrives.
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