Updated at 3:57 p.m., Monday, November 5, 2007
Phone disruptions increase in Kailua
Advertiser Staff
About 100 Hawaiian Telcom customers in Kailua and Lanikai continue to have storm-related telephone problems but service has been restored this morning to nearly all of the 70 customers in Nanakuli who lost service.But the work to replace two telephone cables in Kailua town that suffered water damage and are affecting service in Lanikai will probably take longer, spokeswoman Ann Nishida said.
A recorded Hawaiian Telcom message warns Kailua customers that service could be disrupted until Friday.
"It's very unlikely it will take that long," Nishida said this morning. The work to repair two cables "will be weather permitting when we can work it. But we have to give the worst-case scenario."
Hawaiian Telcom officials originally said on Sunday that only 19 customers lost service in Kailua "but it's become a bigger problem," Nishida said. "Not everybody is out of service. Some might be having staticky service."
An unknown number of phone customers in the Pahala and Mountain View areas of the Big Island also continue to have problematic service, Nishida said.
The customers can only make or receive calls from within their three-digit prefix areas, Nishida said.
Repair crews only got access to the area around 9 a.m. today but hope to have service fully restored by noon today.
