On Molokai, complaints about these downed utility poles have dragged on for years

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Downed utility poles in west Molokai are prompting growing concern. The toppled infrastructure appears precariously balanced on a steep hillside above Maunaloa Highway.

HNN Investigates confirmed the downed poles belong to Hawaiian Telcom. The company says its crews are currently addressing the problem. Adding “the leaning poles aren’t considered dangerous.”

But some residents disagree.

For months, drivers along Molokai’s Maunaloa Highway near mile marker 13.5 have flooded our HNN’s inbox with startling images of two uprooted utility poles suspended atop vegetation on the steep hillside above the road. When we visited the site last week, we found long spans of cable draped across the ground and tangled in the brush. And more poles that looked to be on the verge of collapse.

Patricia Hammond says she first reported the hazard almost two years ago.

“So I called non-emergency to the police department and they said that they were aware of the poles being down,” she said.

After confirming the lines didn’t belong to Maui Electric Company, the Maunaloa resident took her concerns to Hawaiian Telcom.

Hammond says when she finally got in touch with a representative, “They’re in the Philippines. So there’s no way for a guy in the Philippines to know that a pole is down. He’s appalled at what I’m telling him.”

She says that conversation was nearly two years ago.

HNN Investigates wanted to know if the downed wires were a fire hazard.

Officials at Hawaiian Telcom ensured us they were not, saying the “wires do not carry electrical power.”

Meanwhile, residents we spoke to are concerned the combination of wind and erosion could cause the teetering infrastructure to fall on the highway.

“They’re headed straight down a cliff, so just the right amount of wind at the wrong time. You could get a phone pole blasted through the side of your vehicle,” Hammond said.

“I don’t understand why they don’t take care of it.”

Earlier this week, HNN Investigates asked Hawaiian Telcom to discuss the problem in a sit-down interview, but the company declined. In an email, a spokesperson said, “We have a crew on-island now, preparing to address these poles. Unfortunately due to shifting foundation, erosion and other issues, it’s not a simple fix and will take some time to address safely and properly.”

The statement went on to say, “The leaning poles are not considered dangerous and are not service-impacting.” In a follow-up email, Hawaiian Telcom said it checked on the other poles around the ones that are leaning and they’re deemed “solid.” Adding crews will resume repair work on Monday.

We were tipped of to this story from viewers.

If you have a problem you’d like us to look into, email us at HNNInvestigates@hawaiinewsnow.com

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