AP. "Power Failure Strikes Hawaii's Main Island. " New York Times  [New York, N.Y.] 10  Apr. 1991, Late Edition (East Coast): A.17. New York Times.

Copyright New York Times Company Apr 10, 1991

The failure of a transmission line knocked out power throughout Hawaii's most-populous island, Oahu, this morning, stranding people in elevators, tangling traffic and disrupting some communications.

The lights went out at 8:34 A.M. The Hawaiian Electric Company said power was restored to about half the island by late afternoon and full service was expected tonight.

Extra police officers were called in to help direct traffic, but motorists were advised to stay off the roads. The island has a population of 850,000.

Marilyn Kali, spokeswoman for the State Department of Transportation, said the Honolulu airport was operating "manually but normally."

The problem occurred with four lines carrying power from the utility's main generating plant on the island's west coast to Honolulu on the southeast coast, said a spokesman for the utility, Jim Mullis. One line was down for repairs when two others failed for an unknown reason, Mr. Mullis said. The utility shut down the fourth line to avoid overloading it, he said.

The Board of Water Supply advised residents to reduce water use, since the utility requires electricity to replenish reservoirs. Several radio stations with generators remained on the air and answered questions from callers.