12 p.m. update: Hawaiian Electric urges customers to prepare for potential extended outages

12 p.m. update: Hawaiian Electric urges customers to prepare for potential extended outages

Safety of customers, crews remains top priority

- Approximately 23,900 customers are without power as of 11 a.m.
- 22,270 restored ahead of severe storm rainbands
- Customers reminded to avoid downed power lines

Release Date: 8/15/2026

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HONOLULU, Aug. 15, 2026 - With wind gusts recorded at upwards of 60 mph in parts of Hawaii Island and West Maui, Hawaiian Electric urges customers to continue to plan for possible extended outages, potentially overnight, as the storm system makes its way westward across the island chain.

Trees and debris blown into power lines are the primary causes of current outages. Crews have been making steady progress, restoring electricity to 20,240 customers on Hawaii Island and 730 in Maui County who were affected by the powerful winds and pounding rain overnight and this morning. However, restoration work may need to pause as weather conditions intensify and make it unsafe for crew members and customers in the area.

As of 11 a.m.:

• Hawaii Island: About 18,700 customers are without power in North and South Hilo, North and South Kohala, Hamakua and Puna. On the Hamakua coast, crews are assessing a 42-mile span of transmission lines after fallen trees knocked down multiple poles and structures.
• Maui County: Approximately 5,180 customers are without power in the Upcountry areas of Makawao, Pukalani and Kula, as well as a part of Haiku and Puukolii in West Maui.
• Oahu: Roughly 150 customers don't have electricity, with nearly 1,300 restored since the onset of the storm.

Because of the dynamic nature of the storm system, outage numbers represent a snapshot in time and are subject to change as additional customers are restored and more outages occur, sometimes in the same area. Customers can track current outages and report outages using Hawaiian Electric's outage map at hawaiianelectric.com and on our mobile app.

Hawaiian Electric is working to keep outage maps and social media updated with information as it becomes available. Our priorities for restoration emphasize safety and essential community services. Restoration also will take place in a manner designed to affect the greatest number of customers first.

Customers can call our Trouble Lines to report any downed power lines, which should always be treated as energized and dangerous.

• Hawaii Island: 1-855-304-9191
• Maui County: 1-855-304-8181
• Oahu: 1-855-304-1212

We are committed to keeping you informed

Hawaiian Electric communicates restoration information to customers frequently through the news media and the following mobile-friendly resources:

• Hawaiian Electric website: hawaiianelectric.com
• Twitter/X: @HwnElectric; @mauielectric; @hielectriclight
• Facebook: facebook.com/HawaiianElectric
• Mobile app: free download available on Apple App and Google Play stores