HONOLULU, HI – A power outage in downtown Honolulu has caused significant disruptions to businesses, government offices, and traffic in the area, affecting approximately 900 customers. Hawaiian Electric Co. stated that the outage began at about 10 a.m. and is expected to continue through late afternoon or early evening.

The outage was triggered by a series of events that started around 9:30 p.m. the night before, damaging an underground cable that feeds power into the downtown area. Subsequently, equipment at the Iwilei substation experienced an overload, leading to a broader outage affecting the downtown grid. Traffic signals throughout the affected area are without power, with police officers directing traffic at many intersections to ensure safety.

Crews from Hawaiian Electric are actively working to repair cables in underground vaults beneath the streets and on equipment at the Iwilei substation. The company anticipates completing repairs and restoring power by late afternoon or early evening, barring any unforeseen challenges.

The outage has prompted closures of various state offices, including the Hawaii State Capitol, state courts, the U.S. post office, and the federal building. With many affected properties housing hundreds of tenants, the impact of the outage extends beyond the number of customer accounts.

Hawaiian Electric spokesperson Darren Pai expressed apologies for the disruption caused by the outage, emphasizing the company’s commitment to restoring power as quickly and safely as possible. Customers are advised to monitor the company’s social media accounts and local news for updates on the status of the downtown grid before heading to work on Friday.

The downtown Honolulu area primarily relies on an underground cable network, originally constructed in the 1960s and 1970s, with sections having been updated over the years. Despite ongoing maintenance, significant portions of the original cable remain in service, highlighting the challenges faced by utility providers in modernizing aging infrastructure.

As the situation continues to unfold, Hawaiian Electric remains vigilant in addressing the outage and ensuring that power is restored promptly to minimize disruptions to customers and the community at large.