Honolulu Star Advertiser-Hurricane Lowell
"Hurricane Lowell wiped out power for more than 50k on Kauai, Oahu."
Views expressed in this Hurricane Lowell update are those of the reporters and correspondents. Accessed on 08 September 2026, 2320 UTC.
Content and Source: "Honolulu Star-Advertiser-Hurricane Lowell."
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2026/09/08/breaking-news/lowell-wiped-out-power-for-more-than-50k-on-kauai-oahu/
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsmonitor.blogspot.com).
Lowell knocked out power for over 50K on Kauai, Oahu
More than 50,000 residents on Kauai and Oahu woke up without power this morning in the wake of Hurricane Lowell.
About 33,000 of Kauai Island Utility Cooperative’s 36,000 members — or about 92% – remained without power, the company said in a news release issued at 9:15 a.m. KIUC said crews began assessing damages early this morning, but that estimated restoration times were not available.
Hawaiian Electric, meanwhile, said as of 6:30 a.m. today that its crews were responding to about 21,000 customers without power on Oahu.
The majority of the Oahu outages were concentrated on the leeward and windward coasts, Hawaiian Electric said, with about 14,400 customers in the former, and about 6,600 on the latter. This, the utility said, represented less than 7% of its total customer base on Oahu.
As of 11:30 a.m., some neighborhoods listed as experiencing outages on Oahu included Kalihi, Aina Haina, Waimanalo, Kailua, Kaneohe, Kaaawa, Mililani, Kunia, Ewa, Halawa, Wahiawa, Makaha, Nanakuli, Haleiwa and Kahuku.
Hawaiian Electric said estimated restoration times are not available until assessments are done.
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On Kauai, utility crews may be unable to do assessments for about 1,500 miles of transmission and distribution lines due to road closures, debris, and other access limitations.
“Our first priority is making sure conditions are safe for our crews, emergency responders and the public,” KIUC President and CEO David Bissell said in a news release. “We know our members want to know when their power will be restored. Right now, we need to understand the extent of the damage and what repairs are necessary before we can provide reliable restoration estimates.”
Crews must inspect lines and equipment, plus identify damage and determine the repairs necessary before re-energizing the system to safely restore power.
”KIUC is mobilizing all available resources to restore power as safely and quickly as possible,” utility officials said in its news release. “Given the extent of the storm damage, members should prepare for outages that may last several days or longer in some areas.”
Members, meanwhile, should stay well away from any downed power lines, assuming they are all energized.
“This will be a significant islandwide restoration effort, and we ask for our members’ patience as our crews work to assess the system and begin repairs,” Bissell said in a statement. “We will provide restoration estimates as soon as we have enough information to do so responsibly.”
Hawaiian Electric also said its assessments may be delayed due to road closures, fallen trees, and storm debris, and that it would provide updates when more information is available.
“Hawaiian Electric appreciates the public’s patience and understanding as crews work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible,” said the utility in the news release.
On Maui, Hawaiian Electric power has been restored to about 2,700 customers in Waiehu after an outage early this morning.
On Hawaii island, restoration efforts related to Hurricane Lala continue, and as of 6:30 a.m. today, crews were working to restore power to fewer than 30 customers without service.
KIUC said it would provide updates on its website and social media accounts as information becomes available.
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Reporting an outage
Customers who are without power but see their neighbors have electricity restored should call:
>> Oahu: 855-304-1212
>> Hawaii island: 855-304-9191
>> Maui County: 855-304-8181
The outages can also be reported online at hawaiianelectric.com/ReportOutage.
