Posted on: Friday, January 3, 2003

Gunman blamed in Big Island blackout

Advertiser Staff

HILO, Hawai'i — Big Island police say an unidentified gunman used a high-powered rifle to shoot a 69,000-volt transmission line early on New Year's Day, cutting power to 6,500 homes and businesses in Puna and Hilo.

The power line was severed near Shower Drive at the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision at about 12:15 a.m., causing a blackout in Paradise Park and Kapoho in Puna and the Waiakea Uka area of Hilo, according to a spokesman for Hawaii Electric Light Co.

Repairs were completed by 1 p.m. Wednesday, the spokesman said.

Anyone with information about the incident should call police officer Christopher Ragasa at (808) 966-5835 or call the police nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311.