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Reinforced poles keep services on [The Honolulu Star-Advertiser](Honolulu Star-Advertiser (HI) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 28--As molten lava from Kilauea Volcano edged closer to a Puna neighborhood Monday, the utility companies that serve the area continued to work to protect their infrastructure while maintaining service. So far, so good. Hawaii Electric Light Co.'s newly reinforced power poles met the challenge Saturday morning as lava crossed Apaa Road. "We are encouraged by the initial result of the pole protection design, but the long-term results are still not determined," said HELCO spokeswoman Rhea Lee. HELCO, in an effort to keep its wooden poles from being destroyed by the lava, developed the new design with the help of experts from the University of Hawaii at Hilo and geologists from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. The experimental design includes a layer of insulation, cinder and a concrete base with holes. Despite lava surrounding one of the poles Saturday, it remained standing, with no outages reported. "We will continue to closely monitor the flow and its effect on our infrastructure," Lee said. "As the lava flow progresses, we expect the lava will rise and inflate." Earlier, the power company moved a large diesel generator to the Kapoho area to offer an alternate source of generation in case the area is cut off from the islandwide power grid. HELCO also continued to put up power lines on Government Beach Road as an alternative means to provide power to Hawaiian Beaches if existing lines become inoperable, the company said. Hawaiian Telcom, meanwhile, was working with HELCO crews Monday to install new 70-foot poles with heat-resistant protection on Pahoa Village Road. The new poles will allow the company to raise its cables higher off the road in the area where the lava is expected to flow. Hawaiian Telcom also continued to lay cables on alternative routes -- the Government Beach Road bypass and off Kahakui Boulevard -- the company said Monday. The company said that to meet the unpredictable nature of the lava flow, it is implementing several contingency plans to maintain the area's phone and Internet service. To help Puna residents stay connected to the Internet, Hawaiian Telcom established two new sites offering free WiFi service: at the Ainaloa Community Center and the Nanawale Community Center. The company also continues to provide free WiFi service to the Hawaiian Shores Community Center, the Hawaiian Paradise Park Activity Center and the Pahoa Community Center. Consumers should bring their own wireless devices, laptop computers, tablets and smartphones. Another option for Hawaiian Telcom customers is to have calls forwarded temporarily to another number, either a landline or cellphone. The service is free for Puna residents and available toll-free at 643-1100 Monday through Saturday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. For those who are permanently transferring Puna services to another location, any applicable fees will be waived at this time, the company said. Also during this event, there is no need to return high-speed Internet modems, and there will be no service fees for lost equipment due to the lava flow. Oceanic Time Warner Cable has established a satellite office at the Pahoa Community Center. The office will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and staffed with representatives who can answer questions about services and receive equipment. Oceanic has also set up free WiFi access at the community center, which will be available until services are restored. WiFi access has also been set up at Hawaiian Paradise Park Community Center, Hawaiian Shores Community Association and Hawaiian Shores Park. ___ (c)2014 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Visit The Honolulu Star-Advertiser at www.staradvertiser.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |