Hawaii’s Lanai Island dark after windstorm knocks out power

HONOLULU – The entire Hawaiian island of Lanai has not had electrical service since Saturday after strong winds snapped or damaged utility poles.

The Maui Electric utility says Lanai’s 1,700 customers are still without power Monday. Crews are working to repair 19 utility poles on the 141-square-mile island.

Billionaire Larry Ellison purchased 98 percent of Lanai in 2012.

Maui County spokesman Rod Antone says Lanai lost electricity and telephone service about 9:45 p.m. Saturday. He says cellphone service is spotty.

Antone says the county is working on getting information to the island that is home for about 3,000 people.

Lanai resident Matt Kawasaki says the island’s three main stores are open, powered by generators.

He says a lot of residents have been barbequing. But they’re worried about perishable food spoiling.