Categorized | Featured, Hurricane, News, Weather

Iselle: Updates for Aug. 23, 2014

Hawai‘i Island power restoration in final stages

Hawaii Electric Light Company President Jay Ignacio, right, works with fellow HELCO staff on coordinating power restoration efforts on August 13, 2014. Photo courtesy of HECO.

Hawaii Electric Light Company President Jay Ignacio, right, works with fellow HELCO staff on coordinating power restoration efforts on August 13, 2014. Photo courtesy of HECO.

Hilo, Aug. 23, 2014, 10:30 a.m. – Today, Hawai‘i Electric Light expects to complete power restoration to all remaining customers impacted by Tropical Storm Iselle, with the exception of those who must repair damage to their property before service can safely be restored. Crews will be inspecting and making minor repairs throughout various subdivisions today.

Any customer without power should call 969-6666 to report the outage.

“We sincerely thank our community and our customers for their patience and understanding through this restoration process,” said Jay Ignacio, Hawai‘i Electric Light president. “We’re especially grateful for the outpouring of kindness, generosity and support our employees and partners from around the state received as they worked tirelessly to restore service to our community.”

Utility crews continue to work with the county and other agencies to clean up storm debris and damaged utility equipment. As a safety precaution, customers are reminded to not touch or move any fallen poles, lines or other utility equipment.

Hawai‘i Electric Light’s Customer Information Center at the Leilani Estates Community Center has been closed.

Scam Advisory

Hawai‘i Electric Light reminds customers to be aware of scams targeting Hawai‘i Island customers in the wake of Tropical Storm Iselle.

Customers reported receiving telephone calls from someone claiming to be a Hawai‘i Electric Light claims representative. The customers were asked to provide their social security number. The company also received reports of individuals wearing safety vests and climbing fences and gates to access homes.

Hawaiʻi Electric Light will not contact customers to request personal information or direct customers to submit payments via options other than those listed on the back of the billing statement. The company also will not access private property without first notifying the customer. Employees and approved contractors wear photo identification badges and their vehicles are clearly marked.

For your safety and protection:

  • Never provide personal, confidential or financial information to an unidentified individual.
  • Ask questions or ask for proper identification. Request the individual’s name, company name, and phone number.
  • Be cautious when responding to callers from an unidentified phone number. Phone scammers want to remain anonymous.
  • Be aware that today’s technology can be used to mask the caller’s phone number and the caller ID could indicate the call is originating from Hawai‘i Electric Light, even though it is not.
  • Report any suspicious activity to local police.

Hawaii County Civil Defense Community Update

This is a civil defense message.

This is a Community Assistance information update for Saturday August 23rd at 6:30 a.m.

Utility crews continue to work on restoring power and telephone services. Due to unique and special circumstances some areas may take longer to have services restored. Significant improvements have been made with these efforts and everyone is thanked for their patience and understanding.

Ice distribution is being coordinated and manned by community associations and volunteer organizations. Ice continues to be available at local stores and merchants. Residents able to access stores for ice and other needs are encouraged to do so.

For those unable to access stores, ice is available at the following location beginning at noon.

  • Nanawale Estates Community Center

County water spigot sites in Puna remain operational and available. Spigot sites include: Mountain View Gym, Kurtistown Ballpark, Kalapana, Nanawale Estates, Keonepoko, Kipuka Farms, and the Kea‘au Transfer Station. Residents are asked to continue to use these sites to meet their drinking water needs.

The Pahoa Community Center is open for showers from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Aug 23-24). Normal business hours of 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for the Community Center will resume Monday (Aug 25)

For more information, please contact Janice Bueltmann of the Hawaii Island United Way at 936-2268.

As recovery efforts continue we would like to thank the many volunteers and the entire community for your help and assistance.

Thank you for listening and have a safe day.

This is your Hawaii County Civil Defense.

“ALOHA PUNA” Fundraiser Shirt to Benefit HIUW

Locally owned and operated Big Island companies – Creative Arts Hawaii, Aloha Grown and Parker Ranch Store – have come together to design and print exclusive limited edition “ALOHA PUNA” fundraiser shirts, in an effort to assist our Puna community in need.

The “ALOHA PUNA” shirts will be sold for $20 each with all proceeds to benefit the Hawaii Island United Way (HIUW) for recovery efforts in Puna.

According to Connie Kurohara, VP Creative Arts Hawaii, Aloha Grown and Parker Ranch Store, “It has been so heartwarming to see Big Island residents, as well as those abroad, come out to support our Puna community. As many families have a long road ahead after the destruction of Hurricane Iselle, we just want to do our part to kokua with recovery efforts. At Aloha Grown, our mission is to support local, sustain the aina, and share the aloha…and we intend to do just that.”

“ALOHA PUNA” fundraiser shirts will be available for purchase at the Aloha Grown store in downtown Hilo (224 Kamehameha Ave), Creative Arts Hawaii in Keaukaha, Hilo (500 Kalanianaole Ave) and the Parker Ranch Store in Waimea (Parker Ranch Center).

For more information, visit www.alohapuna.com

The Fish Hopper in Kailua-Kona Casts Out Challenge

In an effort to continue support for Puna District residents impacted by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Iselle, The Fish Hopper Restaurant in Kailua-Kona has launched a challenge to the community.

The Sabu Shake Sr. Charitable Foundation, set up in memory of the restaurant’s founder, will match up to $5,000 in new donations to The Salvation Army’s Disaster Relief Fund for the Puna District.

“Our father was a lifelong supporter of The Salvation Army and we are proud to continue that tradition in Hawaii via the foundation set up in his honor,” said Sabu Shake Jr., co-owner of The Fish Hopper. “As a business operator on the Big Island, we’d like to encourage our customers, residents and other businesses to step up and support The Salvation Army’s relief efforts for our neighbors in East Hawaii.”

“We are so appreciative of The Fish Hopper’s activities to support disaster relief for our island communities,” said Major John Chamness, Divisional Leader for The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division. “Their commitment is a wonderful example of business leaders taking action to help meet the needs of island residents and families. I’d also like to reiterate that 100 percent of the donated funds will be used to support emergency disaster services in East Hawaii.”

Online donations may be made at www.salvationarmyhawaii.org or by calling The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Divisional Headquarters at 808-988-2136.

A special Salvation Army Red Kettle also will be located at the restaurant to collect donations during this period.

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