(ABOVE) Kona residents cleanup a downed tree covering mailboxes at the corner of Keopu Place and Keopu Mauka Drive. Photo taken on Jan. 3 by Fern Gavelek.

NEWS BRIEFS

• UPDATE at 1:10 p.m. – A water restriction advisory is in effect for Pa’auilo area customers. The Department of Water Supply says that due to ongoing power issues, water hauling for the Pa’auilo water system has begun. Until further notice, Pa’auilo customers are advised to restrict water use to essential needs only.
• UPDATE at 12:20 p.m. – Hawaii Electric Light Company crews worked through the night to restore service to approximately 3,300 customers island-wide. All transmission lines were repaired and are back in service. About 1,700 customers are currently without service (HELCO media release below)
• Hawaii County continues cleanup efforts following the Jan. 2-3 severe weather event. Power outages have been reported in the eastern areas extending from Ocean View through North Kohala.
• Kohala residents in the areas above Hawi Road including Beers Road, Maliu Ridge, and Ka’ahuhu Road are without water service. An emergency water spigot has been set up at the senior housing subdivision near the Kohala Hospital (Water Supply media release below). Yesterday, the water department announced Pu’unani Subdivision and Mana Road in Waimea were without water service, and an emergency drinking water spigot was made available at the Waimea Baseball Park on Spencer Road.
• Alii Drive in the Kailua Kona area between Hualalai Road and Walua Road is still limited to one lane only and restricted to north bound traffic only.
• Overnight, police say Highway 11 in Na’alehu was re-opened to traffic.

MEDIA

Hawaii County Civil Defense weather and power outage information update issued at 10:45AM.

PRIMARY SOURCES

Weather conditions continue to improve and damage and impact clean up from the storm system is ongoing. Currently a High Wind Warning remains in effect for the summit areas of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. All other weather advisories and warnings have been cancelled. Numerous reports of fallen trees, downed power lines and power outages have been received. HELCO crews are working to restore power in the affected areas. Power outages have been reported in the eastern areas extending from Ocean View through North Kohala. All downed power lines are to be treated as energized and avoided. Please report all power outages and downed power lines to HELCO at 969-6666.

These power outages may affect water systems in some areas. A power and water system update will be made as soon as that information is available.

At this time Kohala residents in the areas above Hawi Road including Beers Road, Maliu Ridge, and Ka’ahuhu Road are without water service. An emergency water spigot has been set up at the senior housing subdivision near the Kohala Hospital. For questions regarding water service please call the Department of Water Supply at 961-8790.

Currently, all major roads and highways are open however downed trees and debris with a few subdivision or feeder roads continues to be addressed.

Alii Drive in the Kailua Kona area between Hualalai Road and Walua Road is limited to one lane only and restricted to north bound traffic only. This is due to surf and erosion damage to the roadway along the coastline area. South bound traffic is being detoured in the immediate area.

Motorists are advised to be prepared for hazardous road conditions and possible unexpected road closures.

All beaches and beach parks are open at this time. Hawaii County Civil Defense on Jan. 4 at 10:45 a.m. HST

From the Hawaii County Department of Water Supply:

DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY EMERGENCY NOTICE

At this time, Kohala customers located above Hawi Road including Beers Road, Maliu Ridge, and Ka’ahuhu Road area do not have water service due to power issues in the area.

The emergency drinking water spigot is now located in the senior housing subdivision to accommodate the mauka area customers without water.

Customers are requested to call the 24-hour service line at 961-8790 for water service concerns.

The Department of Water Supply sincerely appreciates your understanding as HELCO works to restore power to this area.Hawaii County Department of Water Supply notice on Jan. 4

Hawai‘i Electric Light crews continue to make progress on restoring electric service to customers affected by recent severe weather conditions. Crews worked through the night to restore service to approximately 3,300 customers island-wide. All transmission lines were repaired and are back in service.

About 1,700 customers are currently without service. Today crews will be working in the following areas: Kaloko, Captain Cook, Hōlualoa, Kamuela, Hawi, Āhualoa, Honoka‘a, Kalōpā, Paauilo, Nānāwale, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Volcano, Upper Puna, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, and Ka‘u.

The areas from Lindsey Road to Āhualoa suffered substantial damage. Customers in these areas are advised to prepare for an extended outage through Tuesday.

Hawai‘i Electric Light asks customers who have not yet reported their power outage to call its trouble line at 969-6666. Due to the high call volume, customers may experience a longer wait time before speaking with a representative. The company sincerely apologizes for this inconvenience and thanks customers for their patience and understanding.

The company urges the community to be safe and treat downed power lines as energized and dangerous. Do not handle or move any fallen or damaged utility equipment. If someone is injured by a downed power line, do not approach them. Call 9-1-1 for assistance.Hawaii Electric Light Company on Jan. 4