James Antone survived the crashing of the poles and wires that hit his truck as he was refueling at the Nanakuli Tesoro at approximately 3 a.m. today. Greg Yamamoto/Advertiser Staff   High winds knocked out several utility poles along Farrington Highway and kept crews from Hawaiian Electric busy throughout the day. Greg Yamamoto/Advertiser Staff   The transformer of a utility pole crashed into a home on the corner of Ma‘aloa Street and Farrington Highway. HECO crews worked to remove the downed pole from the home. Greg Yamamoto/Advertiser Staff

Downed power lines blocked the driveways of many businesses, some of which were unable to open.

Tree limbs and debris were everywhere.

The high winds knocked down a total of 16 poles along one stretch in Nanakuli, with another line of poles down in Ma'ili, said Hawaiian Electric Co. spokesman Darren Pai.

One power pole snapped in two places, with part of it landing on a house.

Farrington Highway was open today, with at least one lane usable in each direction throughout, and four lanes available along much of the road.

Traffic was being rerouted off the highway in the vicinity of Hakimo Road in Ma'ili, police said.

Businesses that did open were doing their best without electricity.

The 7-11 at Auyong Homestead Road and Farrington reopened at 10 a.m. after closing at 3:10 a.m. when the power went out.

They were letting in three customers at a time.

A sign at a nearby Mahalo Express advertised "ice cream 50 percent off."

Waianae Store has backup generators and was doing a booming business. The store quickly sold out of bread, milk and ice.

Pai said HECO did not know how long power would be out, and asked for patience.