Honolulu Suffers Major Power Outage as Obama Visits

[Algorem]

Source: Time


By Vanessa Kaneshiro / Honolulu Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008



A lightning strike just after sunset in Hawaii has apparently pulled the plug on most of the island of Oahu, where President-elect Barack Obama and his family are vacationing. One power plant continued to operate and parts of the island�s western sector continued to have electricity. The compound where the Obamas are residing in an $11 million home is reported to have a power generator. But the rest of the island, including the state capital Honolulu, was plunged into darkness and confusion.



The power stopped at about 7:30 p.m. Traffic lights stopped operating; cars were jammed at intersections; cordless phones ceased operating; panicking residents flooded 911. Most islanders received news by way of car or battery-operated radios, which included Japanese-language announcements to keep tourists informed of developments. Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said over the radio that power would not be fully restored for at least 12 hours. After a recent earthquake that affected Hawaii's largest city, it took two days before electricity came back completely.

Droves of people, patrons and employees, alike stood outside of restaurants, standing on the sidewalks of Honolulu, trying to fathom what had happened. Crowds and families enjoying the city's Christmas lights at the Iolani Palace, the residence of Hawaii's old royalty, found themselves wandering in the dark. But in the background, fireworks were going off in intermittent bursts, visible everywhere in the residential districts. They went on sale today in preparation for New Year's eve celebrations.

The Hawaii-born Obama, his wife and daughters Sasha and Malia are staying at Paradise Point Estates, an enclave of homes at the end of a private road in the exclusive beachside community of Kailua, located on Oahu's Windward side. There are three homes in the compound where Obama is staying; the future first family is occupying a property featuring 5,000 square feet of interior living space and a 1,900 square foot lanai. With reporting by Howard Chua-Eoan


Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1868825,00.html

[Dennis Donovan]

1. That sucks, but I'd rather be on Oahu during a blackout than...

...HERE! (I was without power for almost two days two weeks ago during an ice storm)

[shadowknows69]

2. Woah, Obama had the power

[iamjoy]

3. Well, Darn

I was hoping if Obama didn't have power for a/c he'd feel so warm he'd have to take off his shirt again ...

:P

[shadowknows69]

4. OOOH, Michelle is gonna smack you!!!!

[Bette Noir]

9. Take a cold shower.

Although I do have ot admit, Barack is the Head of State I'd most like to share a plate lunch with.

[iamjoy]

18. I'm Joking (mostly)

1 - I am a happily married woman who does not lust after other men

2 - Even if I weren't married, I would not poach.

3 - In a few weeks, he will be our President. Lusting after him is unseemly. He has earned no small amount of respect. The paparazzi are keen to snap beach pics of him, but Obama deserves (and has earned the right) to be treated with dignity. Unlike many "celebrities" who market their looks to become rich and famous Obama's real "talent" is his brain and political skill.

Of course, he does have a nice physique - I enjoy looking at it. You can tell both the Obamas work out, and I admire that about them. I know he's got a lot on his plate right now, but maybe he could also "lead by example" and help our nation become healthier.

[MADem]

5. They should try it in sub-freezing weather, like parts of the northeast did recently.

Talk about "not a picnic" for four days...more for some.

[stillcool]

10. there are some still without power..

that's some utility company.

Outraged Residents Want Power Co. 'Fired'
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/18351358/detail.html?rss=bos&psp=news
LUNENBURG, Mass. -- Almost two weeks since a crippling ice storm left tens of thousands of Bay State homeowners in the dark, hundreds are still without power in the central Massachusetts towns of Ashby, Fitchburg, Lunenburg and Townsend

One of those towns is now ready to pull the plug on its utility company as dozens of enraged residents told their elected officials Tuesday night that they want Unitil fired.

Twelve days of frustration and outrage came to head as Lunenburg residents told their Board of Selectmen they want the company out of their town.
--------------------

Most residents in the town only just got their power back on Wednesday, more than a week and half after a vicious ice storm downed trees and power lines across the central part of the state, knocking out electricity to thousands of homes. Now, they're switching their energies to demanding answers and accountability.

Town selectmen also said they were furious, claiming Unitil kept them in the dark as well. They alleged that for days the company refused to share updates with them, keeping the entire town in an information vacuum.

"The updates for streets were something we asked for, in fact begged for, and in every turn of the way we were denied," Selectman Tom Alonzo said.

Residents, however, said the town itself had a communication breakdown. Homeowners had no idea what they were facing.
--
In the end, it took a call from the governor to persuade Unitil to let National Grid step in. Residents praised that utility for coming to their rescue

Unitil: Restoration nearly complete
By Brandon Butler [e-mail]
Posted: 12/26/2008 06:07:37 AM EST

FITCHBURG -- A Unitil executive said the company hoped to get all power restored to the region by Tuesday night, except for some "patches" even as about 3,000 customers in West Fitchburg lost power because of a downed line Tuesday night.
Also, the state agency responsible for overseeing utility companies announced it would conduct its own investigation into the response to the storm from the state's power companies, including Unitil.

Unitil Senior Vice President George Gantz said between 300 and 400 customers did not have power as of Tuesday evening separate from the West Fitchburg incident, but he expects almost all of those to be restored by today.
Power restoration efforts in Lunenburg, Townsend and Ashby were "almost complete," he said Tuesday.

"We believe we have enough crews in the city of Fitchburg to complete all services (Tuesday night)," Gantz said.

[dixiegrrrrl]

13. So is Unitel a private company? What about National Grid?

[stillcool]

16. they both are...

[MADem]

17. It's outrageous, isn't it!

Reminds me of my years in assorted Third World nations....but then, in those circumstances, one was prepared for these sorts of things. Here in the US, people expect the power to work.

[shaniqua6392]

6. We lost our power just before midnight on Christmas Eve.

We had to pack up the gifts and food and move it all to my daughters house. I was supposed to prepare dinner for 14 people! We still had an awesome Christmas together and by the time we got home Christmas night, the power was back on. I had to remind myself that there are so many out there who are less fortunate....without homes....without money....without gifts for their children, etc. and I never complained a bit. We are blessed and things could always be worse!! I am sure the Obama family did not mind either. They have had a year filled with wonderful blessings. I look forward to Inauguration Day and the new year with our new President at the helm!!

[Turbineguy]

7. The Clenis pulled the switch!

I don't believe a word of that lightning stuff.

[Demeter]

8. Tin Foil Hat Time

This is like a Greek myth, where the gods are betting on different city-nations, and pulling no punches with their dirty tricks.

Of course, I represent the wrong mothers of the world....


Demeter

[KamaAina]

11. I can confirm that at least two buildings are back up

the one in which I am situated (as of 4:57 AM), and the one where the modems are, probably out by the airport.

(rant on)

A lightning strike just after sunset in Hawaii

There was no storm here in town! Not so much as a passing shower! Besides, the lines right around here are underground! :grr:

After a recent earthquake that affected Hawaii's largest city, it took two days before electricity came back completely.

The Oct. '06 quake was centered off the Kona side of the Big Island, 150 miles away!! Imagine if power in California went off every time there was a quake within 150 miles!!

And for this rinky-dink, bush-league level of service, we pay among the highest rates in the country. :eyes:

(rant off)

[Renew Deal]

12. Hopefully this helps keep infrastructure fresh in his mind.

[bemildred]

14. Yeah, but can he cure scrofula?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrofula

[KamaAina]

15. Possibly the dumbest statement of the entire year

and with less than a week left, it may very well hold up:

http://www.starbulletin.com/news/bulletin/36783804.html?page=1&c=y

HECO officials said that they believe lightning triggered so-called "load shedding" — an automatic shutting down of power area after area on Oahu to prevent a catastrophic shutdown of the entire system.

Um, er, didn't all that "load shedding" result in "a catastrophic shutdown of the entire system"? :argh:

And no, Sarah Palin has not, t myknwledge, taken a job with our electric company. :dunce:

[ellisonz]

19. I think we're talking about hours vs. days/weeks.