HELCO crews work on replacing a utility pole which came down Sunday afternoon. Photo by Ethan Tweedie | Special to Hawaii 24/7.

By Hawaii 24/7 Staff

Police shut down Mamalahoa Highway (Hwy 190) at Lindsey Road in Waimea so crews could make repairs to a utility pole and lines which came down Sunday afternoon. Traffic between Mamalahoa Highway and Waimea was routed through Ala Ohia Road. Police report that they expect the roadway to be closed until 5 a.m. Monday (June 18) as crews make repairs.

According to photographer Ethan Tweedie no vehicle appeared to be involved with the pole coming down. Tweedie speculated strong winds may have brought down the wooden pole which broke in half and came down on another pole. At 4:20 p.m. 5,888 Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO) customers lost power from Kawaihae to Waimea and from North Hawaii Community Hospital to Waimea-Kohala Airport.

At 5:17 p.m. HELCO restored power to 2,163 customers and continuing work to restore power to remaining customers.

There are high wind warnings and advisories issued for the Big Island by the Nationa Weather Service. More info here.

UPDATED (6/18/2012 at 7:48 AM)

Hawaii County Police report that as of 7:38 a.m. Mamalahoa Highway (Hwy 190) at Lindsey Road is now open to through traffic in Waimea.