Categorized | Featured, Hurricane, News, Weather

Iselle: Updates for Aug. 22, 2014

A home in Hawaiian Beaches was crushed by an Albizia tree fallen from Tropical Storm Iselle. Image taken August 21, 2014. Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

A home in Hawaiian Beaches was crushed by an Albizia tree fallen from Tropical Storm Iselle. Image taken August 21, 2014. Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Hawaii 24/7 Staff

Governor Sends Request for Presidential Disaster Declaration

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration asking for federal assistance to help pay for damage caused by Tropical Storm Iselle, which impacted Hawaii from Aug. 7-9, 2014.

The request seeks Individual Assistance for Hawaii County.

Individual Assistance would make additional funding, loans and services available to affected residents.

Power restoration update from Hawai‘i Electric Light

Hilo, Aug. 22, 2014, 11:00 a.m. – Hawai‘i Electric Light on Thursday completed repairs to all of the major damage Tropical Storm Iselle caused to the electric system in subdivisions in the Puna District.

Electric line crews today are focused on a number of smaller outages, each affecting small pockets of customers, scattered across the following areas: Ainaloa, Hawaiian Acres, Fern Acres, Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hamakua, Kalapana, Leilani Estates, Nanawale Estates, Orchidland Estates, and Upper Puna. In total, an estimated 200 customers remain out of power.

Customers who are still without power should report their outage by calling 969-6666.

“We truly appreciate the patience and understanding our customers have shown. Our community has come together and supported each other throughout this process. We want our customers to know we’re not letting up and we’re committed to restoring service to everyone affected by the storm,” said Darren Pai, Hawai‘i Electric Light spokesman.

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

Customer Information Center in Puna

Hawai‘i Electric Light’s Customer Information Center will close at 4 p.m. today. The center is at the Leilani Estates Community Center at 13-3441 Moku Street in lower Puna. Company representatives will be on hand to answer questions from the public and provide the status of repairs. Free Wi-Fi access and a charging station will also be available at the center. Customers may bring their electronic devices to the center and get them charged there.

After the center closes, customers may call 969-6666 for status updates.

Scam Advisory

Hawai‘i Electric Light has been informed 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.

Hawaiʻi Electric Light wants to remind customers that the utility 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.

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.

To obtain a claim form, please visit one of our customer service locations in Hilo, Waimea or Kona or visit our website at www.hawaiielectriclight.com.

Hawaii County Civil Defense Community Update

This is a civil defense message.

This is a Community Assistance information update for Friday August 22nd 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 locations beginning at noon.

  • Nanawale Estates Community Center
  • Kalani Honua Retreat
  • Neighborhood Place of Puna

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 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday (Aug 22). The hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Aug 23-24). Normal hours 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.

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