Afternoon errands on Oahu turned into an unplanned lights-out for hundreds on Yesterday, after a fallen tree on the North Shore and a separate crash on the Leeward coast cut power and briefly disrupted traffic as crews rushed in.
Where Power Was Lost
According to Hawaii News Now, Hawaiian Electric reported about 281 customers without power in Haleiwa as of 5 p.m., after roughly 910 customers had been affected earlier in the afternoon. The utility estimated that service in the Haleiwa area would be restored by about 7 p.m.
Leeward Coast Outages
Updates from Hawaiian Electric showed roughly 545 customers without power in the Waianae and Nanakuli area as of 5 p.m., with an earlier post noting about 550 customers out in Nanakuli. The company said the West Oahu outages began around 4:23 p.m. and listed the cause as a motor vehicle accident, with an estimated restoration time near 11 p.m.
Safety And Reporting
Hawaiian Electric reminded the public to steer clear of fallen utility poles and stay at least 30 feet away from any downed lines, a safety warning relayed by Hawaii News Now. Viewers sent the station photos showing a tree draped over wires in Haleiwa as crews worked to clear the scene.
Downed trees and weather-driven outages are nothing new on Oahu. A 2023 incident that toppled a tree onto power lines left more than 900 customers without electricity on the North Shore, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. Utility crews say they prioritize safety and typically restore power in a way that brings service back to the greatest number of customers first.
To check status or report an outage, Hawaiian Electric posts live updates on its outage map and social accounts. Customers can find the latest information on the outage map at Hawaiian Electric or by following the company’s posts on X. If you encounter a downed line, call emergency services and keep clear until crews have secured the area.
