Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />CONTACT: Kristen Okinaka (808.969.0258) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> kristen.okinaka@hawaiielectriclight.com <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />HILO, May 31, 2018 i Electric Light continues with its efforts to maintain electric service <br />for communities being impacted by the eruption and lava flows that began in Leilani Estates four <br />weeks ago. <br /> <br />About 800 customers in Leilani Estates, Lanipuna Gardens, and Kapoho are experiencing <br />extended power outages due to the destruction of poles, lines and equipment. Power will not be <br />restored in areas with active eruption activity or extensive damage. Once the situation stabilizes <br />and Civil Defense officials deem the impacted areas are safe to enter, utility personnel will <br />conduct a full assessment and select the most suitable plan to restore electric service. <br /> <br />The company has implemented some of its contingency plans to prevent or minimize extended <br />power outages in communities impacted by lava flows. On Monday, switching operations were <br />performed to reroute power to customers in lower Puna as the lava flow approached and <br />eventually crossed Highway 132. Today, as a preventative measure, crews connected two <br />transmission lines near the Ainaloa subdivision to make the electric grid more resilient ifa <br />problem were to occur with other transmission lines on the grid. Engineers continue to develop <br />contingency plans which include line extensions, steel poles, and microgrids. <br /> <br />Electric Light still has sufficient generation to mee <br />hydropower, solar, and fossil fueled generation. <br /> <br />https://www.hawaiielectriclight.com/lava provides the latest <br />information for customers affected by the eruption and for those who may have questions about <br />billing and service during the emergency. Customers also may call (808) 969-6999 for questions <br />regarding their electric account. Information also is available on <br />(@HIElectricLight) and Facebook (HawaiianElectric) accounts. <br /> <br /># # # <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />FOLLOW US FOR THE LATEST: <br /> <br />