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Crews on the Big Island were working to clear and restore roads.
Most public schools across Hawaii reopened but Hawaii County's
non-emergency operations were still suspended, officials said.
Tourists were among those impacted by power outages. Sydney
Ambrose, a California resident who was visiting Maui with her
son and mother, said that they had just sat down to order at a
restaurant in Kaanapali on the island's west side when the power
went out. Their hotel also lost power, forcing them to try to
sleep without air conditioning in a hot room. Hotel guests
gathered on the ground floor to use the few working power
outlets to charge their phones and other devices, she said.
“We were pretty anxious,” Ambrose said. “My mom was a little bit
freaked out.”
The storm has since moved west, according to the National
Weather Service. It is expected to eventually turn north toward
the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, a massive and
remote federally protected area of the Pacific with islands,
atolls, sea mounts, shoals and coral reefs.
Hawaiian Electric said inspections are showing significant
damage, especially in remote areas, and crews were working
overnight to restore power to thousands across the Big Island,
Maui, and Oahu. Many large trees in Maui's upcountry region fell
and toppled power lines and damaged infrastructure, according to
Maui County officials.
“Roads are getting cleared, debris is getting cleaned up, and
the people, while hurting, remain strong,” Hawaii County Mayor
Kimo Alameda said Monday.
Officials said the storm caused one death — a 90-year-old woman
who had been reported missing in Naalehu and then found dead on
Monday.
In the hard-hit southern end of the Big Island, communities were
isolated as they were cut off from communication. Floodwaters
disturbed some grave sites. While water service was restored to
customers in Pāhala, a boil water notice was issued out of an
abundance of caution.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said Monday that the damage was not as
catastrophic as feared and that recovery will be “somewhat
brisk.”
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Kelety reported from Phoenix.
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