Power restoration efforts continue in Hawaii, with approximately 900 customers still without electricity across the islands. Despite the challenges, Hawaiian Electric has made significant progress since Sunday night, restoring power to over 27,300 customers on Oahu, Maui County, and Hawaii Island. Since Saturday, they have served over 114,000 customers.
The company attributes the ongoing restoration efforts to the strong winds recorded across their service areas, which reached 30-40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. These conditions forced crews to suspend work whenever it was unsafe, especially when wind gusts exceeded 30 mph, making it dangerous to operate utility bucket trucks with hydraulic booms. As of 5 p.m., crews on Hawaii Island were addressing approximately 15 pocket outages.
In Maui County, crews are working to restore power to around 470 customers, primarily in Upcountry Maui and Molokai. About 50 customers in Olinda will remain without power overnight due to severe wind gusts and falling trees. On Oahu, crews are focused on restoring power to approximately 450 customers across the island.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued wind advisories for several islands, including Maui, Molokai, Hawaii Island, Lanai, and Kahoolawe, until 6 p.m. on Tuesday. East winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph are expected, posing risks to structures and vehicles. The NWS also warns of potential flooding, with a flood watch in effect for all Hawaiian islands until 6 p.m. today.
Despite the challenges, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced that all City and County of Honolulu offices, facilities, and services will resume normal operations on Tuesday, following improved weather conditions on Oahu. The University of Hawaii has also announced that all campuses will reopen on Tuesday to resume operations and classes.
The governor's emergency proclamation, issued on Friday, will remain in effect until Wednesday, unless damage assessments necessitate an extension. Maui County has closed a temporary evacuation point at King Kekaulike High School, and Hawaii County is gathering information on property damage and assistance needed.
The powerful winter storm has brought heavy high-altitude snow, damaging wind gusts, and dangerous coastal flooding to the Hawaiian islands. Flood advisories and warnings have been issued for Hawaii Island, with heavy rainfall triggering flooding in several districts. Residents are urged to stay away from drainage ditches and streams, as runoff can cause water levels to rise rapidly and unpredictably.
The NWS has placed the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa under a winter storm warning, predicting more than 12 inches of snow and warning of difficult travel conditions. A high wind warning is in effect statewide, with powerful northeast winds tearing across the islands, posing risks to trees, power lines, and vehicles. The coastline is also dangerous, with a high surf warning in effect for several islands, creating powerful currents and advising the public to stay away from the shoreline.
