Keeping You Informed
We are working on significant upgrades to the Downtown Network to improve safety, reliability and resilience through 2030. We are committed to keeping the community informed throughout the duration of this work.
- Our Vision & Commitment
- The People of Hawaiian Electric
- Our History
- Performance Scorecards and Metrics
- Our Leadership Team
- Newsroom
- Awards & Recognition
- Power Facts
- Innovation
- Affiliate Transactions
Important Phone Numbers
- Customer Service: 1-808-548-7311
- Claims Department: 1-808-543-4624
- Trouble line: 1-855-304-1212
(To report power outages, downed power lines or trees on power lines)
Downtown Honolulu Network Upgrades
Why this work matters
The downtown electrical network is more than just wires and equipment, and at the core of this network is the Iwilei Substation. The substation and its equipment are critical in protecting the grid, monitoring and controlling power flow, and ensuring the safe operation of the system. Iwilei Substation provides power to a total of 12 circuits that serve all the downtown Honolulu area through a network of underground cables in conduits and manholes. The Iwilei Substation is the heartbeat of our downtown community.
Keys to a resilient Downtown Network
1. Iwilei Substation repairs and upgrades
Upgrades and repairs to the Iwilei Substation will mitigate the risk of an extended Downtown Network customer outage. One of three Downtown Network transformers was recently replaced in 2025, and engineering is underway to plan for the replacement of the other two transformers and three switchgears by the end of 2030. Work was recently completed to replace deteriorated protective relay wiring to improve operation of the transformers.
2. Manhole inspections and rehabilitation
Increased manhole inspections will identify work that is needed to correct structural integrity issues of manholes. Electrical manholes provide access to vital electrical infrastructure like power lines, transformers, and other equipment. Maintaining the structural integrity of these manholes, which deteriorate over time, is critical to operating, maintaining and repairing the system.
3. Downtown Network vault replacements
Downtown Network vaults serve buildings and, potentially, their neighbors. These basement-located transformers are aging and require replacement. Some locations may lack the necessary space that limits access to remove and replace the existing transformers, creating additional variables that must be considered. Our team is evaluating these potential challenges and working on solutions to avoid any unexpected interruptions.
4. Underground cable replacements
Underground cable replacement work should incrementally increase reliability as upgrades progress. Hawaiian Electric crews are replacing old, worn cables and conduits to increase system reliability over time. This meticulous work — digging, cutting and replacing — is essential to the uninterrupted flow of power.
5. Remote monitoring installations
Remote monitoring equipment will enable faster troubleshooting, restoration planning and dispatching of crews to repair problems. Work is underway to install monitoring equipment in network vaults to collect data on the status of devices within the vaults. These tools give our operators real-time insights about the conditions underground.
