A third of Maui hit by blackout

Associated Press

WAILUKU, Maui — A fault at an electrical substation in Wailuku was blamed for a power failure that affected about one-third of Maui last night.

Maui Electric Co. President Ed Reinhardt said the blackout began a little after 9 p.m. when the fault cut power to two major transmission lines.

The blackout affected Central and Upcountry Maui.

Although West Maui and the Kihei area weren't affected, police in the two districts said they had difficulty communicating by radio with dispatchers in Wailuku.

Emergency generators provided power to continue most operations at Kahului Airport, where there was a report of a passenger caught in an elevator.

Reinhardt said the company hoped to begin restoring power by midnight.