Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Lights Out for Obama in Oahu Power Outage

800,000 lose power during storm; Prez-elect gets generator

By the Associated Press

Posted Dec 27, 2008 8:01 AM CST

(AP) – The Hawaiian island of Oahu lost power during heavy rain and lightning last night, leaving the population of 800,000 and thousands of tourists, including vacationing President-elect Obama and his family, in the dark. Authorities advised residents to stay home and to conserve water. Hawaiian Electric Co. took an emergency generator to the compound where the Obamas have been staying.

Gov. Linda Lingle said she expected power to be restored some time this morning. Hawaiian Electric had restored power to about 30,000 customers by 2:40am, a spokesman told The Honolulu Advertiser. Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann noted that Obama is in one of the "most secure places, so he'll be OK." Said Lingle: “I would advise ... everyone to just go to sleep.”

A hotel guest of the Westin Moana sits by the pool during a power outage in Honolulu, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008.
A hotel guest of the Westin Moana sits by the pool during a power outage in Honolulu, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
Pedestrians take pictures as traffic lights, street lights and buildings are without power in Honolulu Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, during an extensive blackout on Oahu.
Pedestrians take pictures as traffic lights, street lights and buildings are without power in Honolulu Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, during an extensive blackout on Oahu.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
A customer pays for his goods by lantern at a convenient store in Honolulu, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008 during a blackout.
A customer pays for his goods by lantern at a convenient store in Honolulu, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008 during a blackout.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
President-elect Barack Obama, holding his daughter Sasha, places an order before the blackout.
President-elect Barack Obama, holding his daughter Sasha, places an order before the blackout.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
President-elect Barack Obama with some shaved ice before the blackout.
President-elect Barack Obama with some shaved ice before the blackout.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

More Newser Stories

Mexico Helps Power Texas During Storm

Warm Welcome for Obamas in Hawaii

2 Dead as Storms Slap South, Midwest

Sundress Set Michelle Back $2K

Obama 'Pardons' Sea Turtles


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne