4 p.m. update: Hawaiian Electric fully mobilized for power restoration

4 p.m. update: Hawaiian Electric fully mobilized for power restoration

Some customers should expect to be without power overnight

- Approximately 44,000 customers are without power as of 3 p.m.
- Hawaii Island power generation at risk due to storm; load shedding may occur
- Safety of public, work crews remain top priority

Release Date: 8/15/2026

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HONOLULU, Aug. 15, 2026 - Hundreds of Hawaiian Electric employees, contractors and support personnel have been working around the clock to address power outages on Hawaii Island, in Maui County and on Oahu. The company strongly urges customers to plan for possible extended outages, potentially overnight, as the storm system makes its way westward across the island chain at least through tomorrow.

With four of its independent power providers disconnected from the electrical grid on Hawaii Island due to damage from the ongoing storm, Hawaiian Electric may need to "load shed." This means the company may temporarily turn off power to customers to maintain system stability and prevent damage to generating units. The temporary forced outages would only affect Hawaiian Electric customers on Hawaii Island. This is not part of the company's Public Safety Power Shutoff program.

Two of Hawaii Island's largest independent power producers, Puna Geothermal Venture and Hamakua Energy Partners, as well as wind energy providers Hawi Renewable Development and Pakini Nui, are also unable to connect to the island's grid.

As of 3 p.m.:

• Hawaii Island: About 32,300 customers are without power in Hilo, Kona, Kohala, Hamakua, and Puna. On the Hamakua coast, wind-toppled trees knocked down multiple poles and structures along a 42-mile span of transmission lines. Wind gusts upward of 70 mph have been recorded in parts of the island.
• Maui County: Approximately 3,300 customers are without power in parts of Upcountry Maui, Haiku, as well as pockets in West and South Maui and Molokai. Extreme wind gusts, often upward of 70 mph, have been battering West Maui since around noon. In Upcountry Maui, crews had to pause work when trees fell in certain areas.
• Oahu: Roughly 8,400 customers don't have electricity in Aina Haina, Kaimuki, Kalihi, Mapunapuna, Manoa and Nuuanu.

Crews have been getting electricity back on as quickly as safely possible. However, restoration work often needs to pause as weather conditions intensify and make it unsafe for crew members and customers in the area.

More than 42,000 customers across Hawaiian Electric's service territory have had power restored today. However, 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 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