Strong winds have been the likely cause of a couple of recent power outages, according to spokeswomen for Maui Electric Co. on Thursday.
On Thursday, a power outage occurred at 1:17 p.m. and affected areas of Pukalani, Makawao, Haiku and Keanae to Hana, according to a notification. Power was restored at 1:40 p.m., officials said.
Winds were the likely cause of that outage, said Lynndee Gomes of MECO.
Spokeswoman Kau'i Awai-Dickson said that MECO officials believe winds brought together two power lines, causing a short and a blackout Tuesday afternoon for customers in Pukalani.
That outage started at 12:49 p.m., and all electrical service was restored by 2:06 p.m., officials said.
According to data from the National Weather Service, winds at Kahului Airport were blowing steady out of the east and northeast Thursday from 10 to 23 mph, gusting from 23 to 35 mph. At Molokai Airport, winds were coming out of the northeast, blowing 10 to 28 mph and gusting from 23 to 38 mph. In Lahaina, winds were steady from 6 to 16 mph, gusting from 20 to 28 mph.
