Update: Most services restored at Department of Motor Vehicles following technology outage

3:21 p.m. Friday update: Most services at the Department of Motor Vehicles have been restored as of approximately 1 p.m.

Officials say the DMV’s web-based Multifunctional Information Distribution System remains unavailable at this time. MIDS is used to verify stored documents when someone who is attempting to renew, duplicate, or replace their driver’s license does not have the required original documents.

To ensure service while MIDS is unavailable, customers are advised to bring all necessary documents with them at the time of their appointment or transaction.

Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

Original story: Some Kaua‘i County services are offline or limited due to a global disruption of Microsoft Windows computers that impacted a variety of departments locally and nationally, including airline communications systems, which disrupted flights.

CrowdStrike, a cloud-based American cybersecurity technology company, reports the outage to be a result of a defect found in a single content update for Windows hosts. Mac and Linux hosts are not impacted.

This was not a cyberattack.

According to CrowdStrike, the issue has been identified, isolated and a fix was deployed. The technology company officials say they are working with all impacted customers to ensure systems are back up.

The county’s Department of Water administrative offices are currently experiencing technical difficulties as a result of the outage. Computer workstations are offline with a select few active and have been designated for customer services. Email access is limited or unavailable at this time.

Walk-in customer services will remain open; however, customers should expect some delays due to limited access to workstations. Phone lines remain operable, and customers may call in to verify preferred services.

Additionally, the Department of Motor Vehicles is limited to certain services at this time. Driver’s License transactions and services are unavailable until further notice, including state IDs and CDL transactions, and financial responsibility assistance if your driver’s license has any holds or flags.

All DMV Kiosks are also inoperable. The DMV can conduct road tests and motor vehicle transactions, except for out-of-state vehicles.

“Our IT officials have been working through the night on the disruption that has affected our County of Kaua‘i systems,” said Finance Director Michelle Lizama. “We have restored most of our systems to full operation; however, we are still experiencing several issues with our computers that provide DMV function.”

The Department of Water’s main office phone line is operating at 808-245-5400.

The department’s Billing Services remain open for cash, check and credit or debit card payments. Waiting times may be longer than normal due to the limited workstation access, however, a kiosk accepting credit or debit card payments remains open. Walk-in bill payments and lobby hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Call Billing Services at 808-245-5442.

Engineering Permit Services remain open for walk-in applications with limited access to workstations. Call Engineering Division at 808-245-5405.

Operations/Troubleshoot Line remains open. To report a water service emergency, call 808-245-5444.

DMV officials will continue to assist appointment holders coming in today as well as walk-ins, and will provide guidance and help as much as possible. Additionally, no credit card transactions are available at this time. However, cash and checks are being accepted.

For additional information or questions about the DMV, visit www.kauai.gov/DMV or send an email to kauaidmv@kauai.gov or a voicemail at 808-241-4242.

Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.