Waikiki outages persist as Hawaiian Electric works to strengthen the grid

Aug 19, 2026

Days after Hurricane Lala, parts of Waikiki still have no power or water, and lawmakers say the storm exposed how fragile Hawaii's electric grid really is.

  • Residents at one Waikiki high-rise are hauling buckets of water up dark stairwells to flush toilets and wash dishes.
  • The outage is dangerous for people who need medical equipment at home, like breathing machines that require electricity.
  • Lawmakers point to old wooden poles, aging equipment, and overgrown trees near power lines as the core problem.
  • Lala was not even a Category 1 storm in most places it hit, yet it knocked out power for days.
  • Hawaiian Electric says it has spent years reinforcing the grid, but admits no system can prevent all storm damage.

Outlook: Crews are still working, but the hardest-hit parts of the Big Island are expected to wait at least two more weeks for power.

← Latest · Archive