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Power restored to most customers; Haleakala still closed

Snow can be seen on the summit of Haleakala from Maalaea on Monday morning. RON WILSON photo

Power has been restored to most customers on Maui, many of whom lost power after strong winds and rains brought down trees and utility lines on Sunday.

About 30,500 customers across various parts of Maui County experienced power interruptions ranging from brief to sustained outages, Maui Electric Co. said. Most had power back on by midnight.

MECO said at around noon on Monday that crews were still working to restore 455 remaining customers in parts of Upcountry, including Haiku, Olinda and Piiholo. Customers in Iao Valley also experienced a power outage early Monday morning after a large tree fell on some power lines.

“Our focus today is to take care of our remaining customers without power in these pockets of the island,” said Sharon Suzuki, president of Maui County and Hawaii Island Utilities.

MECO is also working with Maui County to clear trees and debris and assess damage to electrical equipment impacted by the storm.

Outage notifications can be found on the company’s Twitter account @MauiElectric with #MauiOutage. The public can also sign up for outage and restoration updates at mauielectric.com. To report an outage or downed power lines, call MECO’s trouble line at 871-7777 on Maui or (877) 871-8461 toll free on Molokai and Lanai.

Haleakala National Park’s Summit District was still without power on Monday, park spokesperson Nancy Stimson said. The park remains closed because the summit is impassable due to snow drifts on the road. Stimson said the exact amount of snow that fell is unknown.

A brown water advisory has also been issued for the island of Maui. The state Department of Health is advising the public to stay out of floodwaters and storm water runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals and associated flood debris. Not all coastal areas may be impacted by runoff, but if the water is brown, stay out. Continue to practice good personal hygiene and follow-up with your primary care physician if you have any health concerns.

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