UPDATE: 19:55
More than 5,000 Hawaiian Electric Co. customers on the island of Hawaii were without power tonight as winds and rain from passing Tropical Storm Hone began to impact the island.
Affected customers are located in Haaheo, Hilo, Honokaa, Kalanianaole, Kau Pahala, Kaumana, Keaau, Keonepoko, Kohala, Mountain View, Paauilo, Pahoa, Waiakeawaena and Waimea.
Separately, HECO officials said a power outage was no longer necessary as a public safety measure after the National Weather Service lifted the “Red Flag” warning for all islands.
More rain and higher humidity have reduced the risk of wildfires, officials said.
“The company will continue to evaluate its safety measures, including the potential need for a PSPS as Hone moves away and a storm system associated with Hurricane Gilma moves toward the islands next week,” HECO said in a press release.
PREVIOUS REPORTING
More than 8,300 customers on the island of Hawaii are without power today as Tropical Storm Hone approaches the island from the southeast.
Hawaiian Electric’s outage map for the island of Hawaii showed 21 outages as of 3 p.m. today, leaving 8,341 customers without power. Most outages were reported between Hilo and Volcano, but there were also two cases in Honokaa.
HECO said none of the outages were part of a public safety power shutoff and that a PSPS is no longer being considered for the island of Hawaii, whose Red Flag warning was lifted shortly after 11 a.m. today.
