Kauai Utility Cuts Power To Kokee Amid Fire Watch
The member-owned utility announced precautionary measures it would take to reduce the risk of fire.
Kauai’s electric utility put roughly 100 households in the dark Wednesday night as a precaution amid the first fire weather watch for Hawaii’s leeward coasts since the Aug. 8 fires on Maui.
Triggered by a forecast of windy, dry conditions, the watch — which is less severe than a red flag warning — is effective midday Wednesday through 6 p.m. Thursday.
said it would de-energize a power line servicing Kokee after 6 p.m. Wednesday to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out. The member-owned utility said power would likely not be restored to roughly 100 affected members in Kokee and Makaha Ridge until the fire weather watch is rescinded and the lines have been inspected.
A power line servicing “a very small number” of members in Mahaulepu was also switched off Wednesday night. The 34,000-member co-op also adjusted its electrical circuits from Port Allen to Mana so that if power is lost it would not be automatically restored until the fire weather watch is over and the lines have been inspected.
KIUC said it would have roving crews along the leeward shore to troubleshoot any problems that pop up during the fire watch.
