HEI - Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.

03/13/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/13/2026 14:16

10 a.m. update: Hawaiian Electric asks customers to remain prepared for extended outages

10 a.m. update: Hawaiian Electric asks customers to remain prepared for extended outages

Crews work on power restoration as Kona storm moves through islands

  • We estimate approximately 8,800 customers affected on Oahu
  • We urge customers to be safe; avoid downed power lines and standing water

Release Date: 3/13/2026

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HONOLULU, March 13, 2026 - Hawaiian Electric is working to restore power to approximately 8,800 customers on across Oahu were affected by severe thunderstorms and powerful winds. Hawaiian Electric crews and contractors have been deployed to address outages. Customers across Oahu, Maui County and Hawaii Island are asked to continue to plan for possible extended outages, potentially overnight, as the powerful storm system is expected to make its way across the island chain throughout the weekend.

Hawaiian Electric's response may be delayed as crews will not be able to make repairs in dangerous weather conditions. Damage to the electrical infrastructure could be extensive. This damage could require extended repair work, and in extreme cases require us to rebuild parts of our system. Flooding, fallen structures, debris and other obstacles also can affect the scope and speed of power restoration. As an example, early this morning, a lightning strike destroyed a pole along an Oahu transmission line, which crews are continuing to repair.

Hawaiian Electric understands that people need to know when their power will be restored and is working to keep outage maps and social media updated with information as it becomes available. 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.

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.

Please check our outage maps at hawaiianelectric.com or on our mobile app for the latest outage information and estimated time of restoration. If you don't see your outage on the map, you can also use this tool to report an outage in your neighborhood.

Please stay safe

  • Even when winds have subsided, conditions can be dangerous. We urge customers in stormy and flooded areas to take the following safety precautions:
    • Stay far away from downed power lines, flooding and debris; lines could be energized and dangerous.
    • If you must travel, please help protect line workers and crews when you see them on the roadside assessing damages or making emergency repairs. Move over from the lane nearest the workers or slow down until you can safely pass the work site.
    • Use extreme caution when driving. Power interruptions may cause traffic signals to stop working without warning. If you come to an intersection with a non-working traffic signal, treat it as a four-way stop.
  • If using a portable generator, make sure it is placed in a well-ventilated area outside the home, and be sure to carefully follow all instructions in the manufacturer's manual.
  • Ensure that all electric appliances, especially ovens and stoves, are turned off to prevent fires.
  • Visit hawaiianelectric.com/electricalsafety for more safety tips.

If you are without power and see downed lines, this is the likely cause of the outage in your neighborhood. Please call our Trouble Lines (listed below) to report any downed power lines, and we'll send personnel out to inspect the damage. For your safety, always treat downed power lines as energized and dangerous, and stay at least 30 feet or more away from the lines. Customers should call 911 or our Trouble Lines to report dangerous situations such as downed power lines or sparking electrical equipment. Please help us keep phone lines open for emergencies.

Hawaiian Electric Trouble Lines

Oahu:

Maui County:

Hawaii Island:

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:

HEI - Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. published this content on March 13, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 13, 2026 at 20:17 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]