Fallen power pole cuts off Windward highway
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Staff Writer
An automobile accident yesterday near Kualoa Ranch knocked out electricity to about 900 homes and snarled rush-hour traffic in Windward O'ahu.
Photo via Chopper 8 • Special to The Advertiser
Police said a man driving a Honda may have fallen asleep at the wheel when the auto hit a utility pole on Kamehameha Highway about 1:20 p.m. The accident occurred near the ranch's old sugar mill.
Traffic on Kamehameha Highway was diverted through Kualoa Ranch yesterday after an auto hit a utility pole and left it leaning dangerously over the roadway.
The driver was wearing a seat belt and was not injured. His car, however, was demolished, police said.
After the crash, the pole was leaning across the mauka lane of Kamehameha Highway.
Hawaiian Electric Co. spokesman Fred Kobashikawa said the pole was being held up by electrical wires. The wires were touching each other and caused the circuit breaker to trip, he said.
Police were forced to close both lanes till the pole was removed.
All traffic was routed through Kualoa Ranch and out the back gate. With only one lane available, traffic moved slowly.
Kobashikawa said a HECO crew heading to the scene was caught in the traffic, which he said was backed up to the Hygienic Store in Kahalu'u at 4 p.m.
One lane of the highway was opened later in the afternoon, and power was restored to all but five customers by 5:45, Kobashikawa said.
He said crews were expected to work late into the night to replace the pole.
Kane'ohe police said they received "thousands" of calls about traffic from as far away as La'ie, inquiring about the status of the repair work and the best way to get to Kane'ohe.
Advertiser staff writer Curtis Lum contributed to this report.
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
