A powerful Kona low storm has plunged over 121,000 Hawaiian Electric customers into darkness, with the total number of affected customers reaching 139,924 by late evening on March 13, 2026. The island of Oahu is the epicenter of the outages, with Maui County also experiencing significant impacts. Hawaiian Electric crews are battling challenging conditions to restore power, but the rugged terrain and relentless severe weather are hindering their progress. The storm has inflicted damage on critical transmission lines, particularly in East Honolulu, where two out of three lines are out of service. Earlier in the day, a lightning strike crippled a vital Oahu transmission line, compounding the crisis. The widespread outages are not only disrupting residential life but also threatening essential services, sparking concerns about water supply and healthcare. Hawaiian Electric is working closely with local authorities to prioritize the restoration of these critical services.