2 p.m. update: Hawaiian Electric continues restoration efforts

2 p.m. update: Hawaiian Electric continues restoration efforts

• About 4,760 without power on Maui, Hawaii Island and Oahu

Release Date: 3/17/2026

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HONOLULU, March 17, 2026 - Hawaiian Electric thanks its customers for their continued patience - especially those experiencing extended outages - as power restoration efforts continue steadily across Maui, Hawaii Island and Oahu. Restoring electricity is taking longer in some areas that were hardest hit with locally-heavy downpours, which resulted in significant flooding, sinkholes, landslides and downed vegetation. Underground lines in particular cannot be accessed until flood waters recede or are pumped out and the thick mud removed. Customer numbers are also fluctuating today due to post-storm conditions.

"In the aftermath of the Kona Low event, our crews are working tirelessly under adverse conditions and we appreciate the public's continued understanding during this long and complex process to restore power to everyone," said Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president and chief operations officer. See Hawaiian Electric's Storm Restoration Process.

Some of the hardest hit areas saw severe weather. Upcountry Maui saw maximum rainfall of 49.57 inches for Haleakala summit and 46.57 inches in Kula with wind gusts up to 108 mph. On Hawaii Island, there was maximum rainfall of 38.77 inches with wind gusts up to 135 mph.

The storm-related outage status as of 2 p.m.:

• Maui County: Crews are working to restore about 1,000 customers without power. About 240 of these customers are in East Maui experiencing extended outages that could last several days as crews continue to repair damaged 20 poles and multiple spans of downed lines.
• Hawaii Island: About 3,200 customers who were impacted by the storm remain without power, mostly in the Puna area. Crews are working in Hawaiian Acres, Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kailua-Kona, Makalei, Volcano, Waimea and Kapoho. Ten tree trimming crews are cutting and removing trees in Puna to clear roadways so crews can access the areas and make repairs.
• Oahu: There are currently about 560 customers out due to storm-related outages across Oahu, which involve making repairs to individual service lines that provide power to neighborhoods. Crews continue to address these various pockets of storm-related outages and new outages.

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. For your safety, Hawaiian Electric also reminds customer to stay at least 30 feet or more away from downed power lines, as they may still be energized and dangerous. If you see someone injured after touching a downed power line, call 9-1-1 for help; don't try to rescue the individual as you also could become a victim. Report to the Hawaiian Electric Trouble Lines: Oahu: 1-855-304-1212; Maui County: 1-855-304-8181, and Hawaii Island: 1-855-304-9191.