5 p.m. Sunday, February 15, 2015 HELCO Update

Hawai‘i Electric Light crews continue to make progress on restoring power to customers who lost electricity as a result of recent high winds.

Today, crews restored power to 1,100 customers in portions of Kapoho, Vacationland, Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Orchidland, Ainaloa, Waimea, and North Kohala.

As of 4 p.m., an estimated 2,900 customers were without power in portions of Leilani Estates, Nanawale, Lanipuna, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Orchidland, Ainaloa, Hawaiian Beaches, Nanawale, Tangerine Acres, Leilani Estates, Fern Forest, Fern Acres, Hawaiian Acres, Eden Roc, Wood Valley, South Point, and Ahualoa.

Due to extensive damage, customers in Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaiian Shores, Nanawale, Leilani Estates, and Lanipuna are advised to prepare for the possibility of extended outages through this week.

The process for restoring service involves many steps to ensure the safety of the crews and community:

• Assess damage: Damage assessments by field crews identify the extent of damage and the specific materials – including poles, transformers and power lines – that need repair or replacement.
• Clear trees and debris/dig holes: Contracted tree trimming and construction crews then clear fallen trees and debris and dig holes for utility poles.
• Install poles, restring lines, and install transformers: Electrical line crews can then be deployed to begin installing the poles, framing the cross arms on the poles, restringing lines, and installing transformers and other equipment.
• Repair main line first before energizing: Work is first done on the main lines serving subdivisions to restore the connection into those neighborhoods. Side streets can then be restored. Even after power is restored to a neighborhood, there still may be damage at individual homes or pockets of homes within a neighborhood that will need to be addressed separately.

“We want to assure customers that our employees are committed to restoring power as safely as possible,” said Kristen Okinaka, Hawai‘i Electric Light spokeswoman. “Work is being done to restore power to every community even if crews are not working in your neighborhood. In many cases, crews must complete additional work on the electric system in other locations first.”

Hawai‘i Electric Light reminds 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.

Customers who have not yet reported their power outage are asked to call 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.

11 a.m. Sunday, February 15, 2015 HELCO Update

Hawai‘i Electric Light crews on Hawai‘i Island are continuing to restore power to customers who lost electricity as a result of recent high winds.

Crews worked through the night to restore power to customers in portions of Hawaiian Paradise Park, North Kohala, Hawaiian Acres, Hawaiian Shores, Aloha Estates, Volcano Village, Hawi, and Hilo.

As of 9:00 a.m., an estimated 4,000 customers were without power in portions of Hawaiian Paradise Park, Orchidland, Ainaloa, Hawaiian Beaches, Kapoho, Nanawale, Leilani Estates, Tangerine Acres, Lanipuna, Fern Forest, Fern Acres, Hawaiian Acres, Eden Roc, Wood Valley, South Point, Waimea, North Kohala, and Ahualoa.

Today’s efforts to restore power include assessing damage, clearing fallen trees and debris, and replacing damaged infrastructure.

Due to extensive damage, customers in Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaiian Shores, Kapoho, Nanawale, and Leilani Estates are advised to prepare for the possibility of extended outages through this week. For those who remain without power for an extended time, below are some food safety tips.

Refrigerated foods

• Food in the refrigerator should be safe as long as power has been out no more than four hours. Keep the door closed as much as possible.
• Discard any perishable food that has been above 41 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of perishable foods such as meat, poultry, fish, and leftovers before you cook or eat it.
• Always discard any items in the refrigerator that have come into contact with raw meat juices.

Frozen foods

• Foods can stay frozen in the freezer for one to three days: one day for a half-full freezer, three days for a fully-stocked freezer
• Foods will remain frozen longer if:
  • The freezer door remains closed
  • The freezer is full or nearly full – the less crowded the freezer, the shorter the time the food will remain frozen
  • The outside air temperature is cool
  • The freezer is large and well insulated
  • The food has a higher water content
  • Food that has been thawed completely and has not been held at or below 41 degrees should be cooked and eaten immediately. If your food still has ice crystals, it’s safe to refreeze.

For specifics on when to save or throw out certain types of refrigerated or frozen foods, please see our “Handbook for Emergency Preparedness” which is available on our website www.hawaiielectriclight.com, at our business offices, or by phone at 969-0137.

Hawai‘i Electric Light reminds 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.

Customers who have not yet reported their power outage are asked to call 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.