6 p.m. update: Hawaiian Electric mobilizes all available resources in push to restore customers ahead of next storm

6 p.m. update: Hawaiian Electric mobilizes all available resources in push to restore customers ahead of next storm

• About 99% of customers on Hawaii Island, Oahu and in Maui County have power

Release Date: 3/19/2026

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HONOLULU, March 19, 2026 - While rain hampered efforts in some areas today, Hawaiian Electric is using every resource it has available - including extra personnel, helicopters and heavy equipment - to continue restoration efforts as safely as possible. With the new Kona low approaching, customers are being asked to prepare for any potential extended or new outages.

As of 4 p.m.:

• Hawaii Island: Power was restored to about 60 customers today. About 960 customers who were impacted by the storm remain without power. Today, linemen from Oahu, Hilo, Waimea, and Kona, along with two contract line crews, worked in Leilani, Nanawale, and scattered areas around the island. Repairs in the hardest hit areas were hampered by numerous fallen trees, mostly the brittle Albizia which can grow to more than 150 feet tall. Tree trimming crews have been cutting and removing trees so utility crews could access areas to begin repairs.
• Maui County: About 70 customers were restored today. Crews continue to focus on restoring about 220 remaining customers. Today, some of the critical repairs involved using a helicopter in East Maui where there is no truck access to set a 55-foot pole and deliver digging equipment as well as other restorations in pockets of Maui.
• Oahu: Power was restored to about 20 customers today as crews repaired individual service lines that provide power to neighborhoods. About 40 customers remain without power from the storm in scattered pockets across the island. Although weather didn't allow for the specialized helicopter work over the Koolau mountain range today, crews adjusted the plans so that transmission line repairs could continue, which provides much needed backup to Hawaii Kai and East Honolulu ahead of the incoming storm.

The outage numbers above represent a snapshot in time and are subject to change as stated above. Customers can view current outages and report outages on the outage map.