Hurricane Hone Hits Hawaii, Leaves Thousands Without Power
HONOLULU – Over the weekend, Hurricane Hone caused significant disruption across the Hawaiian Islands as it brought heavy rains and strong winds. Starting as a tropical storm, Hone was upgraded to a Category 1 Hurricane late Saturday evening before making its way near Hawaii Island on Sunday. The storm has since been downgraded back to a tropical storm status as it moved away from the archipelago.
Power Outages Affect Thousands
As the storm passed through, tens of thousands of customers of Hawaii Electric, also known as HECO, experienced power outages. At 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, approximately 18,000 customers were reported to be without power across the state, with the majority of outages occurring on Hawaii Island. By 3:30 p.m., this number decreased to around 12,000. The latest reports indicate that as of 6:45 a.m. Monday, about 2,379 customers are still without power on Hawaii Island.
Utility Crews Work Against the Storm
In response to the storm, utility crews have been working diligently to restore power. Crews were stretched along Highway 11 near Mountain View attempting to repair downed power lines and assist affected residents. The loss of electricity has significantly impacted businesses and services in the area.
Business and Daily Life Disrupted
The Volcano House Hotel began receiving calls from guests requesting to cancel their reservations due to the outage. Nearby, the Lava Rock Cafe lost power around 7 p.m. Saturday but managed to keep operations running with a generator. Residents flocked to the cafe for essential supplies such as gas and ice, as explained by Pau Norris, who noted that “people have been coming in for gas, ice….”
Severe Weather Conditions
On the southern side of the island where Hone was closest, intense flooding turned Highway 11 in Waiohinu into what looked like a river. Moani Van-Alst Wright shared their fears about the rising water levels, stating, “To see it in the daylight and see how high the water was coming and how quickly it was coming. It was pretty scary.”
Impacts Felt Across Other Islands
The storm also created challenges on other islands. For instance, a landslide blocked a section of the Hana Highway on Maui, while powerful winds tore the roof off a home in the upcountry area. On the Garden Isle of Kauai, a boat ran aground on the west side—demonstrating the widespread effects of Hurricane Hone.
Next Steps for Residents
As recovery efforts continue, Hawaii Island residents are urged to report any storm damages either online or by calling the local hotline at (808) 935-0031. The state remains on alert as the community works together to navigate the aftermath of this storm.
A Community Pulling Together
Residents across the islands are showing resilience in the face of adversity, coming together to support one another during this challenging time. As the weather stabilizes and the storm moves further out to sea, the focus now shifts toward recovery and the restoration of essential services.
