Verizon Hawaii estimates it will cost about $150,000 to repair the underground telephone cable in Hawaii Kai that was cut, severing service to 3,500 customers three days before Mother's Day. Hawaii Kai phone repair
to cost company $150,000
By Nelson Daranciang
Star-Bulletin"We're still assessing all of the costs. It won't be final until sometime in the summer," says Ann Nishida, Verizon Hawaii spokeswoman.
That is when Verizon expects to install a new cable that has been ordered from the mainland.
Customers in Hahaione Valley and on Hawaii Kai Drive lost telephone service on May 10 when a contractor drilling holes at Hawaii Kai Drive and Keahole Street cut through the cable.
Verizon employees splicing wires around the clock restored service to all customers by midnight May 14.
Nishida said the cable needs to be replaced because "the fix does not restore the cable to its original state before the break."
Verizon had said it is going to charge contractor Foundation International for the repairs, not its customers.
Nishida said Verizon is in communication with Foundation International.
Company representatives did not return Star-Bulletin calls seeking comment.