Maui Now: Power Restored After Central Maui Outage Amid Tsunami Warning

On July 29, 2025, at approximately 11 a.m., an incident in Central Maui resulted in a power outage affecting around 3,800 customers in areas of Waikapū and Wailuku. This outage occurred when tree trimmers inadvertently dropped a branch onto power lines. Following a comprehensive inspection to guarantee the safe resumption of electricity, power was restored to all affected customers by 12 p.m. Concurrently, Wailuku experienced a separate outage, impacting several county facilities and businesses on High Street, Wells Street, and Main Street. This was suspected to be due to an underground cable fault, with power being restored by 12:19 p.m.

Due to the power outage, certain governmental buildings in Wailuku, including the Kalana Pakui building, Kalana O Maui building, David K. Trask Jr. building, One Main Plaza, Old Wailuku Courthouse, and the Old Kress Store, were closed by noon. Community members were advised to verify the operational status of these facilities before visiting. The Hawaiian Electric Co. anticipated full restoration of power within the day, with county offices expected to reopen by July 30, 2025.

According to updates from Hawaiian Electric Company's Maui Outage Map, the majority of those affected by the Central Maui power outage had their power restored. However, the precise cause of the outage remains under investigation. As a precaution, the state Department of Transportation highlighted that outages in Wailuku and Waikapū could have been impacting traffic signals, urging motorists to heed all road signs and exercise caution while driving in affected areas.

On the same day, a tsunami warning was issued for Maui County due to waves impacting Hawaii. This alert followed a major seismic event near Russia's far eastern coast. Consequently, tsunami alerts extended to regions including parts of Russia, Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, and the US West Coast. Local Maui authorities enacted measures to ensure public safety and disseminated crucial information to keep residents informed. The gravity of staying informed through reliable local news sources was emphasized, providing updates on weather conditions and safety protocols.

Maui's local media have been integral in updating residents about this evolving situation, ensuring they receive timely and accurate information. Community residents are advised to monitor local broadcasts and official communications as emergency management prepares for potential impacts from the tsunami waves and coordinates necessary safety responses. Emphasis remains on the safety and well-being of the Maui community as authorities continuously assess the tsunami's potential effects and adjust their response strategies accordingly.