July 16, 2024 - Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative line crews safely restored power to roughly 1,100 members early this morning after completing repairs to poles and lines damaged by yesterday’s wildfire in Hanapēpē.

The fire, which broke out around 12 noon on Monday, July 15, began threatening structures at around 2:50 pm when an evacuation notice was issued for residents in Kaumakani.

KIUC crews had been monitoring conditions in the area and responded to a request from the Kauaʻi Police Department to de-energize lines between Hanapēpē and Kaumakani. Transmission lines were de-energized at approximately 3:15 pm. While 378 KIUC members in Hanapēpē, Kaumakani and Pakala were without power, members in Waimea, Kekaha, Mānā and Kōkeʻe were powered temporarily using solar and battery resources at the AES PMRF facility.

At approximately 6:30 pm, members in Kekaha, Mānā and Kōkeʻe were proactively de-energized, in order to preserve stored solar energy for Waimea, and ensure that Kauaʻi Veterans Memorial Hospital and the County’s emergency shelter in Waimea remained energized. Once Kekaha, Mānā and Kōkeʻe were de-energized, there were roughly 1,100 members without power.

KIUC deployed all line crews to Kaumakani to replace four damaged transmission poles, make other necessary repairs, and inspect lines for safe re-energization. All members were restored shortly before 3:00 am on July 16.

“We are extremely proud of the operations staff and line crews who worked quickly to ensure the safety of the general public and get repairs underway immediately,” said KIUC’s President and Chief Executive Officer, David Bissell. “The assistance of emergency response agencies and PMRF is also much appreciated.”