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Iselle: Updates for Aug. 16, 2014

UPDATED (5:42 PM on 8/16/2014)

Important Safety Reminders from Hawai‘i Electric Light

Hilo, August 16, 2014 (3:30 p.m.) – As power restoration efforts continue on Hawaiʻi Island, Hawai‘i Electric Light would like to remind customers of important safety information.

“As a reminder, the public should treat downed power lines as energized and dangerous,” said Darren Pai, Hawai‘i Electric Light spokesperson. “For your safety, please avoid handling or going near all downed lines and utility equipment.”

Hawai‘i Electric Light urges the public to remember these important safety tips:

  • Do not handle or move any fallen or damaged utility equipment.
  • Do not approach any downed power lines, as they may have electricity running through them and can be dangerous. If you see someone injured by a downed power line, do not approach them and call 9-1-1 for assistance.
  • Use generators outdoors and away from flammable materials. Generators connected directly to your home may feed excess electricity back into power lines, creating a public safety hazard. Plug appliances directly into your generator, using extension cords.
  • Unplug unnecessary and sensitive electronic equipment. Use high-quality surge suppressors for electric appliances that remain plugged in.
  • Use batteries to power flashlights and lanterns. Do not use candles or other flammable fuel sources, as they are fire hazards.
  • Be aware of trees and utility poles that were weakened by storm winds and have the potential for falling.
  • Anyone who is without power and who is dependent on electric-powered life support medical equipment should make arrangements to go to an alternate location with power. They should bring their medical equipment and medications with them. They should also stay in contact with their medical equipment supplier for any special equipment needs.

If the service line directly to your home is down, please call Hawaiʻi Electric Light at 969-6666.

UPDATED (2:27 p.m. on 8/16/2014)

Power restoration update from Hawai‘i Electric Light

Hilo, Aug. 16, 2014, 1:30 p.m. – Hawai‘i Electric Light reported continued progress in restoring power to customers who lost power as a result of Tropical Storm Iselle. Service to an additional 1,100 customers was restored yesterday. Currently, an estimated 2,700 customers remain without power. Service was restored to the end of the Pahoa-Kalapana Road.

More than 200 workers have mobilized to work in the field on restoring power, including 26 electrical line crews, 14 tree trimming crews, and 30 construction crews contracted to dig holes for utility poles. The combined workforce will include crews from Hawai‘i Island, O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i, and contracted companies.

Areas of work

Today, electrical line crews expect to continue making progress in the following areas: Nanawale Estates, Leilani Estates, Seaview Estates, Hawaiian Beaches/Hawaiian Shores, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaiian Acres and other portions of upper Puna.

Some areas of focus today include:

  • Nanawele Estates – In Nanawale Estates, crews are working on the main power line that brings electric service to the subdivision. Contracted crews are also preparing the area by clearing and trimming trees and digging holes to replace utility poles damaged by falling trees.
  • Leilani Estates – In Leilani Estates, crews have restored power along Leilani Boulevard and are now working on Kahukai Street and side streets, which suffered extensive damage from fallen trees.
  • Seaview Estates – In Seaview Estates, crews are working on the main power line that brings service to the subdivision. Contracted crews are also preparing the area by clearing and trimming trees and digging holes to replace utility poles damaged by falling trees.
  • Hawaiian Beaches/Hawaiian Shores – In Hawaiian Beaches, crews have restored main lines to the end of Kahakai Boulevard. Crews are still addressing side streets in the vicinity of Puni Makai North and South.
  • Hawaiian Paradise Park – In Hawaiian Paradise Park, crews have restored most of the main lines along Maku‘u and are focusing on Paradise Drive between 19th and 12th Avenues and side streets, which suffered extensive damage from trees. Crews will be replacing poles on side streets within the subdivision and restoring power.
  • Hawaiian Acres – In Hawaiian Acres, crews are working to restore power along Roads 1 to 4.

Restoration progress may be impacted by access due to storm debris, fallen trees, or other conditions in the field.

Even if customers don’t see crews in their area, we want customers to know that work is being done to restore power to their communities. In many cases, additional work on the electric system is needed in other locations to restore service.

Although crews are making progress and restoration in many areas may be much faster, preliminary estimates indicate it could take up to three weeks – and in some cases, even longer – to restore power to the areas with the most significant damage. Actual restoration times for each location will depend on the extent of the damage.

New location for Customer Information Center in Puna

Beginning today, Hawai‘i Electric Light’s Customer Information Center has moved to the Leilani Estates Community Center at 13-3441 Moku Street in lower Puna. The center at the Hawaiian Shores Community Center in Hawaiian Beaches is closed. Company representatives are on hand to answer questions from the public and provide the status of repairing the damage. A charging station will be available at the center. Customers may bring their electronic devices to the center and get them charged there. The center will remain open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – and longer if needed – as the restoration process continues.

Background on restoration process

The process for restoring service involves many steps that need to be coordinated to ensure public and utility workers’ safety. We also must ensure we deploy the right resources to ensure crews can restore power as quickly as possible. Here’s an overview of the restoration process:
· Assess damage: Damage assessments by field crews identify the extent of damage and the specific materials – including poles, transformers, and power lines – that need to be repaired or replaced.
· Clear trees and debris/dig holes: Contracted tree trimming and construction crews then need to clear fallen trees and debris and dig holes for utility poles
· Install poles, restring lines, and install transformers: Electrical line crews can then be deployed to begin installing the poles, framing the cross arms on the poles, restringing lines, and installing transformers and other equipment.
· Repair main line first before energizing: Work is first done on the main lines serving subdivisions to restore the connection into those neighborhoods. Side streets can then be restored. Even after power is restored to a neighborhood, there may still be damage at individual homes or pockets of homes within a neighborhood that will need to be addressed separately.

UPDATED (10:46 AM on 8/16/2014)

Hawai‘i Electric Light’s customer information center moved to Leilani Estates Community Center

Hilo, August 15, 2014 – Hawai‘i Electric Light Company will move its Customer Information Center to the Leilani Estates Community Center at 13-3441 Moku Street in lower Puna beginning Saturday, August 16. The center at the Hawaiian Shores Community Center in Hawaiian Beaches will be closed.

“As we continue to restore electric service in upper Puna, we also want to reach out to customers in other areas still without power,” said Rhea Lee, Hawai‘i Electric Light spokeswoman. “We know our customers want to know more about the work that’s being done to recover from this devastating storm. We appreciate their patience and want to assure them we’re working safely and as quickly as possible to restore power.”

The center will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Company representatives will be on hand to answer questions from the public and provide the status of repairing the damage caused by Tropical Storm Iselle. Customers may bring their electronic devices and get them charged. A charging station will be available at the center. The center will remain open daily as the restoration process continues.

Disaster Assistance and Recovery Center (DARC) at Pahoa Community Center Friday (Aug 15). DARC will be set-up 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. at the Mountain View Gym Saturday-Sunday (Aug 16-17). Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Disaster Assistance and Recovery Center (DARC) at Pahoa Community Center Friday (Aug 15). DARC will be set-up 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. at the Mountain View Gym Saturday-Sunday (Aug 16-17). Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Hawaii County Civil Defense Community Assistance Message

Hawaii 24/7 Staff

The Salvation Army was on hand at the Pahoa Community Center to provide supplies to those in need. Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

The Salvation Army was on hand at the Pahoa Community Center to provide supplies to those in need. Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed a supplementary proclamation Thursday extending the state of emergency relating to Iselle.

This supplement to his initial proclamation allows state agencies to continue the recovery process from the high winds, heavy rains, high surf, storm surge, and flooding.

“I cannot thank all the people that have come together to respond to the damage Iselle caused on Hawaii Island enough,” Abercrombie said. “Everyone is pulling together to try to meet the needs in Hawaii County. I’d especially like to thank Aloha Air Cargo, Hawaiian Ice Company, Matson, and Young Brothers for their consideration. Their hard work and, in some cases, donation of time and services has really made a difference in this recovery.”

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), formerly State Civil Defense, is conducting joint damage assessments with federal officials after landfall of Tropical Storm Iselle.

The joint teams are coordinating with Hawaii County officials to determine the extent of damage in the hardest hit areas.

A Disaster Assistance and Recovery Center (DARC), organized and set up by HI-EMA, continues to operate at the Pahoa Community Center.

The DARC, which provides information on disaster-related services and allows Iselle survivors to register their damage with the state, will move to the Mountain View Gym on Saturday. The DARC at Mountain View will remain open until 8 p.m. Sunday.

People in need of assistance who are unable to visit the DARC should call Hawaii County at (808) 935-0031 to report damages. The number to call for emergency water concerns on Hawaii Island is (808) 961-8790.

The number for the HELCO help line is (808) 969-6666.

Maui residents can report damage at http://www.co.maui.hi.us/index.aspx?nid=70.

Resources for Affected Individuals and Businesses for Dealing with Insurers

The State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division also outlined resources and advice for affected families and businesses dealing with their insurance companies. These include steps to help ensure that their claims are processed promptly, as well as information on how to file a complaint if they cannot resolve a dispute with their insurer.

File Claims Promptly – Homeowners and renters who experienced property losses are urged to file insurance claims with their insurers as soon as possible after losses occur. Provide policy numbers (if possible) and all information relevant to the loss. Households should take photos or videos showing the extent of the losses before cleaning up damage.

Make Only Necessary Repairs – Homeowners should protect their property from further damage after a loss, but should make only necessary repairs to prevent further damage to property, like covering broken windows. Permanent repairs should not be made until after insurers have inspected losses.

Keep Records of Dealings with Insurance Representatives – Homeowners should keep a diary of all conversations with insurance representatives, including the representatives’ names, and the times and dates of all calls or visits. They should also follow up in writing with the representatives to document their understanding of any conversations they’ve had.

Inventory Belongings – Provide your insurer with a detailed room-by-room inventory of damaged personal items and property. Include any receipts, credit card or other documents showing the items’ values.

Flood Damage – Homeowners are also reminded that flood damage to homes and structures is generally only covered by flood insurance, which is a Federal program administered by FEMA. Homeowners who have flood insurance and have flood damage should make claims through that insurance. Homeowners should also read their policies carefully to make sure they understand what damage is covered and under what circumstances.

Keep Your Receipts If You Relocate During Repairs. If you need to temporarily relocate while your home is being repaired, make sure to keep receipts and other records of your expenses during that time.

Information on Homeowners Insurance: Additional information can be found on the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division website at http://cca.hawaii.gov/ins/.

—

HELCO UPDATE

Crews continue to make progress on restoring power, restoring electric service to approximately 2,500 customers Wednesday.

Currently, an estimated 3,800 customers remain without power.

More than 200 workers have mobilized to work in the field on restoring power, including 26 electrical line crews, 14 tree trimming crews, and 30 construction crews contracted to dig holes for utility poles.

The combined workforce will include crews from Hawaii island, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and contracted companies.

Areas of work

Electrical line crews expected to continue making progress Thursday in the following areas: Nanawale Estates, Leilani Estates, Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaiian Paradise Park, and portions of Upper Puna. In addition, crews expect to make progress down Pahoa-Kalapana Road.

Some areas of focus Thursday include:

Nanawele Estates – In Nanawale Estates, crews are working on the main power line that brings electric service to the subdivision. Contracted crews are also preparing the area by clearing and trimming trees and digging holes for new utility poles.

Hawaiian Paradise Park – In Hawaiian Paradise Park, crews have restored most of the main lines along Makuu and are focusing on Paradise Drive and the area between 21st and 12th Avenues, which suffered extensive damage from trees.

Hawaiian Beaches – In Hawaiian Beaches, crews have restored main lines along Kahakai Boulevard down to Puni Makai Loop. Crews are still addressing side streets in the vicinity of Puni Makai South.

Leilani Estates – In Leilani Estates, crews have restored power along Leilani Boulevard and are now working on side streets, which suffered extensive damage from fallen trees.

In addition, contracted tree trimming and construction crews are working to clear fallen trees and debris and dig utility pole holes in Nanawale Estates, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaiian Beaches, Leilani Estates, Upper Puna, Keeau Agricultural Lots, and other areas throughout the Puna District.

Restoration progress may be impacted by access due to storm debris, fallen trees, or other conditions in the field.

Even if customers don’t see crews in their area, we want customers to know that work is being done to restore power to their communities. In many cases, additional work on the electric system is needed in other locations to restore service.

Although crews are making progress and restoration in many areas may be much faster, preliminary estimates indicate it could take up to three weeks – and in some cases, even longer – to restore power to the areas with the most significant damage. Actual restoration times for each location will depend on the extent of the damage.

Restoration process

The process for restoring service involves many steps that need to be coordinated to ensure public and utility workers’ safety. We also must ensure we deploy the right resources to ensure crews can restore power as quickly as possible. Here’s an overview of the restoration process:

Assess damage: Damage assessments by field crews identify the extent of damage and the specific materials – including poles, transformers, and power lines – that need to be repaired or replaced.

Clear trees and debris/dig holes: Contracted tree trimming and construction crews then need to clear fallen trees and debris and dig holes for utility poles.

Install poles, restring lines, and install transformers: Electrical line crews can then be deployed to begin installing the poles, framing the cross arms on the poles, restringing lines, and installing transformers and other equipment.

Repair main line first before energizing: Work is first done on the main lines serving subdivisions to restore the connection into those neighborhoods. Side streets can then be restored. Even after power is restored to a neighborhood, there may still be damage at individual homes or pockets of homes within a neighborhood that will need to be addressed separately.

Important safety information

As the restoration work progresses, Hawaii Electric Light urges the public to remember these important safety tips:

Do not handle or move any fallen or damaged utility equipment.

Do not approach any downed power lines, as they may have electricity running through them and can be dangerous. If you see someone injured by a downed power line, call 9-1-1 for assistance.

Use generators outdoors and away from flammable materials. Generators connected directly to your home may feed excess electricity back into power lines, endangering the public and utility crews. Plug appliances directly into your generator, using extension cords.

Unplug unnecessary and sensitive electronic equipment. Use high-quality surge suppressors for electric appliances that remain plugged in.

Use batteries to power flashlights and lanterns. Do not use candles or other flammable fuel sources, as they are fire hazards.

Be aware of trees and utility poles that were weakened by storm winds and have the potential for falling.

Anyone who is without power and who is dependent on electric-powered life support medical equipment should make arrangements to go to an alternate location with power. They should bring their medical equipment and medications with them. They should also stay in contact with their medical equipment supplier for any special equipment needs.

Hawaii Electric Light continues to operate its Customer Information Center at the Hawaiian Shores Community Center in Hawaiian Beaches.

Several hundred people have been visiting the center daily.

Company representatives are on hand to answer questions from the public and provide the status of repairing the damage.

A charging station will be available at the center. Customers may bring their electronic devices to the center and get them charged there.

The center will remain open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – and longer if needed – as the restoration process continues.

—

HAWAIIAN TELCOM

Hawaiian Telcom has set up phones and free Wi-Fi access at the Hawaiian Shores Community Center in Hawaiian Beaches to assist Puna residents who are without service.

Residents can use the phones to make free local calls on the Big Island. To take advantage of the free Wi-Fi, consumers should bring their own wireless devices, such as laptop computers, tablets and smartphones.

The Hawaiian Shores Community Center is located at 15-458 Kahakai Street, Puna. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hawaiian Telcom crews continue working with Hawaii Electric Light Co. (HELCO) and state and county officials to safely clear fallen trees, downed poles and cables, and other debris caused by Tropical Storm Iselle.

The company has restored service to thousands of Big Island customers and installed working lines at the two Civil Defense Disaster Recovery Centers.

Crews remain focused on restoring service to all customers as quickly as possible.

In some cases, restoring service will take time as it involves a multi-step process that requires different sets of work crews.

Hawaiian Telcom customers who have functioning home phone service but not High-Speed Internet should see their Internet service return when power is restored to their areas.

For your safety, do not touch or move any downed line, as it could be a power (electric) line and potentially dangerous. Fallen utility poles or cables and service issues can be reported to Hawaiian Telcom’s 24-Hour Service Center at 643-6111.

Hawaiian Telcom sincerely thanks customers for their patience and understanding during this time.

—

FREE LIBRARY WI-FI

Five libraries in the Puna District will provide Wi-Fi service around the clock until electrical power is restored in the area.

The five libraries — Keaau Public & School Library, Mountain View Public & School Library, Pahoa Public & School Library, Pahala Public & School Library, and Naalehu Public Library — will maintain their normal hours.

Wi-Fi access will be available as far as the signal extends beyond the perimeter of the buildings. Users should connect to the HSPLS-Iselle Network.

—

FREE LEGAL HOTLINE

Hawaii State Bar Association hotline will be established at the association’s headquarters in Honolulu and will be staffed by volunteer attorneys. It will operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The line was established following consultation with representatives from the East Hawaii Bar Association, the HSBA Senior Counsel Division, and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii. Call 888-609-5463.

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CENTRAL PACIFIC BANK

Hurricane assistance loan program features low interest rates, flexible loan terms, reduced monthly payments, fast approval and quick funding. The loan amounts range from $1,000 to $15,000 with terms up to 48 months. Call 544-0500 or visit any CPB branch.

“KOKUA PUNA” DONATION DROP OFF SITE AT SUMMER CRUISE

CBRE Cares and Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii will be at the Summer Cruise on Saturday, Aug. 16 at Lanihau Center to collect donations for the Puna residents affected by the storm.

They will be there from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. under the tent in the south end parking lot near Buns in the Sun.

Here are the items requested – Canned goods, rice, bottled water, C& D Batteries, 5 gallon and stove sized propane canisters, propane stoves, baby food, cat and dog food, Ziploc bags, paper goods, trash bags, solar lights, flash lights, wind up alarm clocks, hand held radios, tiki torch fluid, lamp oil, 140 inverters for car, First Aid Kit, antibiotic creams, bandages, baby wipes, and insulated freezer bags. Monetary donations can be made out to Hawaii Island United Way (note on check – Hurricane Iselle Relief Fund).

—

(Photo courtesy of ChoiceMart)

(Photo courtesy of ChoiceMart)

CHOICEMART SUPERMARKET

ChoiceMART Supermarket partnered Wednesday with local community volunteers and grocery shoppers to bring relief to our neighbors suffering the effects of hurricane Iselle in Puna.

For each $10 shoppers donate at checkout, ChoiceMART makes a matching contribution and provides an emergency relief package valued at more than $20 including water, food, toiletries, and other emergency supplies in a reusable shopping bag.

A total of 105 bags were sold during the one-day event. That’s $2,100 worth of food, water, and emergency supplies generously donated by our grocery customers and ChoiceMART.

The store also made an additional $200 contribution of bottled water and sports drinks and many customers contributed cases of water and other food items

Community volunteers plan to deliver the emergency relief bags to those in need Friday and Saturday.

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