Tropical Cyclone Lala Leaves Nearly 20,000 Hawaii Customers Without Power

Quick Summary: As of Wednesday afternoon, Tropical Cyclone Lala has knocked out electricity for about 19,680 customers across the Hawaiian Islands. Crews are working around the clock, but some areas might wait up to two weeks for power to return.

What Happened?

Tropical Cyclone Lala swept south of the Hawaiian Islands earlier this week. It started as a hurricane (a very strong storm with fast winds) and weakened to a tropical storm (still strong, but less intense) as it passed by.

Even though the center of the storm didn’t hit land directly, its outer bands brought:

• Heavy rain and flooding
• Strong winds that knocked down trees and power lines
• Dangerous road conditions

All of this damaged the power grid — the network of wires, poles, and stations that brings electricity to homes and businesses.

Current Outage Numbers by Island (As of 2 p.m. Wednesday)

Important: These numbers change as crews fix lines and new problems are found. Always check the latest outage map for your area.

Why Is Restoration Taking So Long?

Fixing power after a big storm isn’t like flipping a switch. Here’s why it’s slow:

1. Damage Is Widespread and Severe

• Over 500 workers (employees + contractors) are on the job.
• But some power lines run miles through mountains and forests — hard to reach by truck.
• Crews sometimes have to hike in on foot with heavy gear.

2. Weather Is Still Dangerous

• High winds made it unsafe to use bucket trucks (the trucks with lift baskets for working on high lines).
• Flooding, fallen trees, and unstable ground block roads.
• A new storm system might arrive soon, delaying work further.

3. Critical Infrastructure First

Crews follow a priority order:

1. Hospitals, emergency shelters, water pumps
2. Large neighborhoods
3. Smaller pockets and individual homes

4. Helicopters and Drones Are Helping

Since Sunday, teams have been flying over hard-to-reach areas to:

• Spot broken poles and downed lines
• Plan the fastest repair routes
• Avoid sending crews into unsafe zones blindly

Help Is Coming from the Mainland

Hawaiian Electric (HECO) has asked for backup from electric companies on the U.S. mainland.

• ~100 extra crew members expected to arrive as early as Tuesday
• Could start working by Wednesday
• They’ll help speed up repairs, especially on Hawaii Island

HECO Spokesman Darren Pai:
“They may be working on a line that is further away, but it is still connected to your neighborhood. So it’s all part of the effort to get your lights back on.”

Where Can You Charge Devices & Get Help?

Maui

• Eddie Tam Memorial Center (931 Makawao Ave.)
  → Charging station + Wi-Fi + shelter
  → Opened Sunday at 7 p.m. by Maui Emergency Management & Red Cross

Hawaii Island

• 9 community charging stations opened by Vibrant Hawaii and partners
  → See locations here

How to Stay Updated

For Hawaiian Electric Customers (Hawaii Island, Maui, Oʻahu):

• Outage Maps:
  • Hawaii Island
  • Maui County
  • Oʻahu
• Estimated Restoration Time Maps: Click here
• Follow HECO on Social Media:
  • X (Twitter): @HwnElectric, @mauielectric, @hielectriclight
  • Facebook: HawaiianElectric

For Kauaʻi (KIUC Customers):

• Facebook: KauaiCoop
• Sign up for text/email alerts via SmartHub

How to Report Downed Power Lines

Never touch or go near a downed line — even if it looks dead. Assume it’s LIVE and deadly.

Stay at least 30 feet away — that’s about the length of a school bus.

Safety Rules During Outages

Follow these to protect yourself and your family:

Around Electricity

• Downed lines = DANGER — stay 30+ feet back, call the trouble line immediately
• Sparks or buzzing equipment? Report it right away
• Generators:
  • ONLY use outside in open air
  • Never in garage, lanai, or near windows
  • Follow manufacturer instructions exactly
  • Carbon monoxide is odorless and kills fast

On the Roads

• Slow down near crews — they’re working in traffic
• Traffic lights out? Treat as a 4-way stop
• Don’t drive through flooding — turn around, don’t drown

At Home

• Keep fridge/freezer closed — food stays safe 4 hrs (fridge), 48 hrs (full freezer)
• Unplug sensitive electronics (TVs, computers) to avoid surge damage when power returns
• Use flashlights, not candles (fire risk)

Step-by-Step: What to Do Right Now

1. Check your outage map for your island (links above)
2. Report any downed lines using the correct county number
3. Find a charging station if you need power for phone/medical device
4. Follow HECO or KIUC on social media for real-time updates
5. Stay home if possible — roads are risky, crews need space
6. Use generators safely — outside only, far from windows
7. Check on neighbors — especially elderly or those with medical needs

Summary

• ~19,680 customers still without power across Hawaii as of Wednesday 2 p.m.
• Hawaii Island hardest hit (~16,800 outages), especially Puna, Kohala, Kaʻū — some may wait 2+ weeks
• 500+ crews working, with 100+ mainland reinforcements arriving soon
• Helicopters/drones assessing damage in remote areas
• Charging stations open on Maui and Hawaii Island
• Stay away from downed lines — call the trouble line for your county
• Follow official sources for updates: outage maps + HECO/KIUC social media
• Safety first: generators outside, treat dark intersections as 4-way stops, avoid floodwater

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why does my neighbor have power but I don’t?

Power lines don’t always follow property lines. Your home might be on a different circuit (electrical pathway) that’s still damaged — even if the house next door is fine. Crews fix whole circuits at a time.

I don’t see any trucks in my neighborhood. Is anyone working on my outage?

Yes! Crews might be fixing a main line miles away that feeds your area. As HECO said: “It’s all part of the effort to get your lights back on.” Check the outage map for status.

How long will food in my fridge last?

• Fridge: ~4 hours if door stays closed
• Full freezer: ~48 hours
• Half-full freezer: ~24 hours
  

  When in doubt, throw it out. Don’t risk food poisoning.

Can I use my gas stove to heat the house?

NO. Gas stoves produce carbon monoxide — a deadly, invisible gas. Only use approved heaters in well-ventilated spaces. Never use ovens, grills, or camp stoves for heating.

When will power be back in my area?

• Oʻahu & Maui: Most repairs expected by end of Wednesday
• Hawaii Island (hard-hit zones): Up to 2 weeks or more
• Best way to know: Check the Estimated Restoration Time maps (link above) and your island’s outage map daily.

Information sourced from Hawaii News Now and Hawaiian Electric. Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.