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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, June 20, 2007

North Shore highway stays open despite damaged pole

Advertiser Staff

A Pupukea brushfire that damaged a power pole prompted officials to consider closing Kamehameha Highway at Waimea Bay this morning, but the road will be open today.

A Hawaiian Electric Co. crew determined late last night that there was no danger of power lines falling, fire department spokesman Capt. Frank Johnson said. The scheduled road closure was called off.

Earlier yesterday, officials announced that Kamehameha Highway would be closed overnight and this morning for repairs to the pole. City officials advised motorists to consider alternate routes for the morning rush hour.

HECO spokesman Darren Pai said power was rerouted to other lines and that no customers were expected to lose electricity.

A brushfire in Pupukea started at 2:10 p.m. but firefighters quickly extinguished it.

However, one of four wooden electrical transmission poles on the ridge above Waimea Bay caught fire and officials feared the pole was in danger of toppling.