Kaua‘i’s Total Outage Count Falls Below 1,000

LĪHUʻE, KAUAʻI - As of this afternoon less than 1,000 members remain without power, with half of those being located in Wainiha and Hā‘ena. This brings the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) restoration total to 98% fourteen days following Hurricane Lowell. 

Outage Restoration Update

North Shore: Approximately 500 members in the communities of Wainiha and Hā‘ena remain without power, and efforts to re-energize that area will be a focus this week. Vegetation management and equipment repairs are ongoing, and it’s anticipated that helicopters will be used on Tuesday, September 22 to support this operation. Based on current conditions, the best estimate is that restoration could begin in Wainiha/Hā‘ena toward the end of this week.

Pocket Outages: Approximately 350 members remain without power in isolated outages or small pockets between Hanalei and Kekaha. In many cases, a single home or a small group of homes may remain without power even though nearby customers have been restored.

We understand how frustrating this can be, particularly as restoration progresses across the island. Many of these remaining outages are in areas where additional vegetation clearing, specialized repairs, or other site-specific work is needed before power can be safely restored.

Crews are being expanded to address these outages as quickly and safely as conditions allow. Because each outage presents different circumstances, we cannot provide a specific restoration estimate for individual locations. Unfortunately, it may be a week or more for some members depending on circumstance. Please know that our goal is to complete the majority of this remaining work as quickly as possible. 

Kōke‘e: Kōke‘e remains 0% restored, affecting approximately 110 members. Vegetation and debris clearing also continues in Kōke‘e, where a substantial amount of work remains before repairs and restorations can safely begin. KIUC currently anticipates repair work could get underway sometime this week. It is still too early to provide an estimated restoration timeline for Kōke‘e.

Traffic and Safety Reminders

Kūhiō Highway, Kapa‘a: On Tuesday, September 22, KIUC will be working along Kūhiō Highway in the vicinity of Tamba Surf Company and Kapa‘a Animal Clinic to replace utility poles that were damaged in Hurricane Lowell and from a motor vehicle accident. Alternating traffic will be accommodated between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The public is advised to slow down and use caution when driving in the vicinity of crews working. Please ensure their safety as they work to replace these poles.

Financial Assistance

Members who are financially impacted by Hurricane Lowell and anticipate a need to establish a payment plan with KIUC, or are interested in exploring financial assistance options, are encouraged to visit KIUC’s website for more information: Payment Assistance | Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative.

Note: KIUC has suspended collections activities for delinquent accounts. The timing of resumption of collections activities will be evaluated once Hurricane Lowell restoration is completed.

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