Maui airport light
failure delays flights

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Star-Bulletin staff

WAILUKU, Maui >> The runway lights failed last night at Kahului Airport, causing delays for several arriving flights and hundreds of passengers.

Officials suspect the failure was caused by a short circuit and are investigating, said Jon Sakamoto, Maui airport manager for the state Department of Transportation. The state has hired a private contractor to find the cause, he said.

The lights went off at the two runways from about 7 p.m. to 7:50 p.m., Sakamoto said. At least one Aloha Airlines flight from Oahu had to circle the airport for about 50 minutes before the runway lights were turned on manually to allow for landings.

Sakamoto said the runway lights went off on Saturday for a couple of minutes but caused no problems.

Sakamoto said normally the federal air traffic control tower operates the runway lights and determines the level of intensity based on landing conditions. Last night the runways had to use the manual system operated by the state.