Power outage struck Chinatown and parts of downtown Honolulu and Nuuanu affecting 3,000 customers after an arc flash incident occurred during repair work on Wednesday night. The incident, which forced Hawaiian Electric to cut off power, involved four electricians inside a manhole but fortunately, no injuries were reported.

An arc flash, caused by a discharge of high-voltage electricity between conductors, led to the shutdown of power to the affected areas. The flash was contained using a heat-resistant blanket by the crew present at the site.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the arc flash, suspected to have originated from a splice connecting high-voltage cables. Repair efforts are in progress, with the possibility of some customers regaining power by mid-morning.

Hawaiian Electric’s Senior Vice President emphasized the safety of workers as a top priority, acknowledging the frustration of customers facing prolonged outages but ensuring that precautions are taken to prevent any harm to workers. The challenging nature of underground repairs with live equipment poses significant risks, necessitating careful planning and execution.

Businesses and residents in Chinatown have been grappling with the impact of the outage, with challenges including lack of water, power, spoiled food, and financial losses. Despite efforts to restore power to a portion of the affected customers, a significant number, particularly small businesses and restaurants, remain without electricity.

Hawaiian Electric has deployed a team of over 50 crew members and technicians working in shifts to address the outage, which was attributed to underground cable damage caused by a fire. The extent of the damage has been described as extensive, leading to a complex repair process that has extended the outage duration.