Hawaiian Telcom reports phone system down

Hawaii County Civil Defense reported this evening that Hawaiian Telcom was experiencing a break in the telelphone system, resulting in no telephone service in Pahala, Naalehu, Ocean View and parts of Kona. The same system break is affecting the cellular telephone carriers and service in these areas as well. Hawaiian Telcom crews were working on identifying the problem.

In the event of an emergency, Civil Defense officials instructed residents in affected areas to go to the nearest fire station, police station or hospital.