HECO Restores Key Oahu Transmission Line – Power Fully Back Online

Hawaiian Electric (HECO) has completed repairs to a key 138-kilovolt transmission line that carries electricity from Leeward Oahu to Windward Oahu, Waimanalo, and East Honolulu, according to a statement released on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

The repair work addressed damage to the transmission line over the Koolau range, a critical component of Oahu’s electrical grid. The completion of this repair is a significant step towards full power restoration following recent storms that impacted the state.

Restoration Efforts Continue

While the repaired transmission line is now operational, Hawaiian Electric continues to work on restoring power to remaining customers affected by the outages. As of Thursday, approximately 86,000 customers statewide were still without power, according to background information. Crews are focused on areas across Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui County.

The company has reported progress in restoring electricity, with nearly half of affected customers having their power restored as of March 16, 2026. Restoration efforts are ongoing in Maui County, including areas on Maui, Lāna’i, and a portion of Moloka’i.

A Challenging Repair

The repair of the transmission line over the Koolau range was described as a complex undertaking. Hawaiian Electric stated that the work represented “one of the hardest jobs of their careers.” The specific challenges involved in the repair were not detailed in the available sources.

The transmission line is vital for delivering electricity across Oahu, connecting the power generation resources on the Leeward side of the island to the more populated areas on the Windward side, as well as Waimanalo and East Honolulu.

Recent Storm Impacts

The need for the transmission line repair stemmed from damage sustained during recent storms. While the specific name of the storm was not mentioned in the primary sources, the repairs were undertaken in response to weather-related disruptions to the power grid.

The Kona low storm, mentioned in background information, caused scattered power outages across Hawaii, prompting the need for extensive restoration work by Hawaiian Electric crews.

Looking Ahead

Hawaiian Electric is continuing its efforts to fully restore power to all affected customers. The company has not provided a specific timeline for complete restoration, but is prioritizing repairs based on the severity of the outages and the needs of critical infrastructure.

Further updates on restoration progress can be found on Hawaiian Electric’s website and through local news outlets.