News - Power Outage in Nānākuli Disrupts Traffic Flow

On a recent Saturday morning, Nānākuli faced an unexpected power outage affecting about 1,349 residents and halting traffic at a key intersection on Farrington Highway. Beginning around 10:17 a.m., the blackout left the junction of Farrington Highway and Nānākuli Avenue without vital traffic lights, compelling businesses to either use backup power or stop operations completely. The power was expected to be restored by noon, as Hawaiian Electric teams were on-site to handle the situation, although the exact cause of the outage was unclear at the time. This outage is part of a larger issue, as Hawaiian Electric is undertaking a significant project to replace outdated cables along the Mikilua 3 circuit, which serves around 1,500 customers. The goal of this project is to improve reliability; however, it has coincided with a series of outages caused by both storm activity and equipment failures over the recent months. The temporary outage of traffic signals required drivers to navigate the affected junction as a four-way stop, with authorities stressing safety and caution. Hawaiian Electric advised the public to keep a safe distance from downed power lines and to report any issues to their emergency line. Crews were dedicated to working until the power was fully restored and the cause identified, while drivers in the area were encouraged to expect delays due to ongoing traffic management efforts and repair work.