NextEra & Hawaiian Electric to Host Meetings Starting April 7

By Maui Now Staff

NextEra Energy Inc. and Hawaiian Electric Industries will host a series of open house meetings statewide to acquaint the public with NextEra and share details on the upcoming merger between the two energy companies.

Residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback to company officials during the 13 sessions scheduled from April 7 to 16. The meetings will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., with senior leaders and company employees available for discussion. The open houses in Maui County are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, April 7
Central Maui: Maui Electric Auditorium
South Maui: Kīhei Community Center

Wednesday, April 8
West Maui: Lahaina Civic Center
Lānaʻi: Lānaʻi Community Center

Thursday, April 9
Molokaʻi: Kaunakakai Elementary School Cafeteria

“Since we announced our merger late last year, we’ve been gratified at the reception we’ve received as well as the high level of interest in this important topic for Hawaiʻi,” said Eric Gleason, president of NextEra Energy Hawaiʻi LLC. “NextEra Energy shares Hawaiian Electric’s vision of increasing renewable energy, modernizing its grid, reducing Hawaiʻi’s dependence on imported oil, integrating more rooftop solar energy and, importantly, lowering customer bills. We recognize that addressing Hawaiʻi’s energy challenges requires Hawaiʻi-specific energy solutions, and that is why we look forward to meeting with and listening to residents across Hawaiʻi. The meetings will provide us with the opportunity to receive valuable feedback while allowing residents to learn more about NextEra Energy and the significant near- and long-term benefits this merger will deliver to Hawaiian Electric customers and the state of Hawaiʻi.”

“In selecting NextEra Energy as our partner, we will join a company that shares our community and environmental values, has a proven track record of lowering electric bills, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun, and is committed to rooftop solar in Hawaiʻi,” said Alan Oshima, Hawaiian Electric’s president and chief executive officer. “We can’t imagine a better match to help us accelerate the clean energy transformation we all want for Hawaiʻi. We hope our customers will take the opportunity to meet members of the NextEra Energy team and learn firsthand why NextEra Energy is the right partner to help us achieve a cleaner and more affordable energy future for Hawaiʻi.”

To find out more about the merger, go online.