Power outage stalls return of patients and staff on Molokai as sea arch collapses
A power outage on Molokai has kept two Hansen's disease patients and about 50 staff members from returning home since September 11, after Hurricane Nolo damaged a power line along the Kalaupapa Pali. The water system has been repaired, but electricity remains unavailable while the National Park Service and Hawaiian Electric work on the line. The Department of Health is coordinating with the park service and Maui County to arrange a safe return.1
During the same period, the iconic Hōlei Sea Arch on the Big Island collapsed into the Pacific Ocean, likely while the park was temporarily closed for three days during Tropical Storm Nolo, which brought heavy rain and strong winds. Visitors were warned to stay away from the site after the arch, which had stood for about 550 years, fell.2