Updated at 4:39 p.m., Monday, January 29, 2007
Kaua'i dealing with power losses, downed trees, fires
Advertiser Staff
LIHU'E, Kaua'i—Firefighters, road crews and police were scrambling to respond Monday to dozens of reports of wind-related problems, from brush fires to downed trees and fallen power lines.Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative reported numerous isolated power outages islandwide starting at 4:20 a.m. and continuing through the day. Problem sites included Makaha Ridge in Koke'e, Wailua, Wailua Homesteads, parts of Lihu'e, the airport, Hanalei, Lawa'i, Kipu and other areas. Among the most significant was a power line that fell near the steel Hanalei Bridge, and an associated brush fire. The bridge was closed for nearly two hours at noon.
Police closed Kamalu Road briefly because of a fallen tree. Firefighters responded to a brush fire between Kaua'i Lagoons and Lihu'e Airport. County public works crews cleared fallen trees or branches from roads in Lawa'i, Lihu'e, Wailua Houselots and Wailua Homesteads.
County water safety personnel have not officially closed beaches, but they were discouraging people from entering the water because of the high winds and surf. There was surf estimated at 25 feet to 30 feet on the island's north shore.
