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Posted: Monday, January 7th, 2013 9:34 AM HST

Winds damage homes/interrupt power

By Ken Hupp - 67AM KPUA News

Powerful winds caused spectacular property damage and impacted electrical service over the weekend. Gusts up to 56 miles per hour were reported in Kawaihae early Saturday, where a whirlwind ripped the roof off a Kailapa Subdivision house under renovation. Elsewhere, a home on Puukamalii Street had its garage roof blown off causing damage to a neighboring residence, while another house suffered wind damage to the solar panels on its roof. Hawai`i Electric Light Company also reported that the Hawi Renewable Development Wind Farm tripped off line shortly after 7:00 a.m., interrupting power to about 6,542 customers in Pepeekeo, South Point and various parts of Kona. Power from other generators was used to restore service within three minutes. HELCO said the cause of the interruption was being investigated.