State Office Tower will reopen Monday as electrical, AC repairs still needed
Advertiser Staff
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The state’s Leiopapa a Kamehameha Building will remain closed today for repairs but will reopen Monday.
State officials said the building, which they had initially hoped could be reopened this afternoon, needs repairs to the electrical and air conditioning systems.
The building, also known as the State Office Tower, was the site of a small gas explosion yesterday.
The explosion is believed to be linked to a gas leak on South Beretania Street, which forced the closure of the street for hours yesterday and snarled traffic into Downtown Honolulu.
The explosion, which happened about 12:40 a.m. yesterday, was in the mezzanine level communications room in the building. No one was injured.
Firefighters had been called to the building by workers who reported smelling gas.
Firefighters determined there was a presence of gas and were outside investigating possible sources when the explosion took place.
Russ Saito, state comptroller, said an estimate on damage to the room is not yet available.
He also said that the explosion doesn't appear to have knocked out Internet or telephone service to the building.
About 300 state workers have offices in the building.