#PUC

The Public Utilities Commission approved Hawaiian Electric’s requests to extend its Charge Up eBus Pilot and EV-J and EV-P Tariffs Pilot, with modifications, to support continued progress in transportation electrification and grid efficiency.

The proposal would create automatic annual rate increases for the two state-regulated water carriers, Young Brothers and the Lāna‘i Expeditions ferry.

Op-Ed: Currently, two bills relating to water carriers in the Hawaiʻi State Legislature, Senate Bill 2694 and House Bill 2386, are moving forward, raising awareness and growing concern for businesses and community organizations.

Hawai’i Water Service says it’s losing money at current rates, which have been in place for 17 years, and has spent nearly $33 million to improve the Kapalua system since 2021.

This hearing is limited to Hawaii Water’s request for a rate increase. It does not address the ongoing broader dispute about water management in the Kapalua region of West Maui. The commission previously stated that it does not have the legal authority to make determinations about water allocation and priority uses of water.

Gov. Josh Green has appointed Jon Itomura to serve as Chair of the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission.

The Public Utilities Commission has approved Hawaiian Electric’s expanded Wildfire Safety Strategy, which calls for deploying new technology, fortifying infrastructure, minimizing fire hazards and expanding community partnerships to significantly reduce the risk of a wildfire started by utility equipment.

The Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission has unanimously approved a 25.75% rate increase for Young Brothers LLC, effective Jan. 1, 2026. In its approval, the PUC cited YB’s escalating financial instability and the overriding public interest in avoiding an abrupt loss of the regulated intraisland shipping services YB provides.

The inter island freight company, Young Brothers, LLC, has announced a leadership transition. Jeremiah “Jay” Ana is stepping down as President after leading the company since 2020 and will assume an advisory role through the end of the year to support a seamless transition. Frank Almaraz has been appointed Interim President.

In May, 15 goats were set up in within a fenced 1-acre area of Upcountry Maui and cleared the vegetation within eight days.

The State of Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission is holding hearings around the neighbor islands where the public can weigh in on a proposed temporary rate increase and tariff changes by the shipping company Young Brothers.

Hawaiian Electric plans to deploy new technology, fortify infrastructure, minimize fire hazards and expand community partnerships to significantly reduce the risk of a wildfire started by its equipment, actions detailed in a new Wildfire Safety Strategy.

Hawaiian Electric will close its Shift and Save time-of-use rates program to new enrollments as of Feb. 1, 2025, following the completion of a one-year pilot. Customers enrolled in Shift and Save before that date will be allowed to continue in the program with the ability to opt out at any time.

The Public Utilities Commission has begun a series of public hearings regarding Hawai‘i Gas’ application for rate increases, revised rate schedules and rules across all its service territories throughout the state.  

Hawaiian Electric has released an updated version of its Electrification of Transportation (EoT) Strategic Roadmap that includes specific actions the company plans to undertake through 2030 to support the rapidly expanding electric vehicle market. 

Hawaiian Electric’s presentation will include information on general timing and cost components for various Maui projects and programs including: the planned Kahului Power Plant closure, proposed Mā‘alaea Power Plant unit retirements, status of new generation projects, current reserve margins, future infrastructure and reliability improvements, and Hawaiian Electric’s Public Safety Power Shutoff changes.

Hawaiian Electric will postpone the launch of its new rooftop solar and energy storage programs by one month while the company makes changes approved by the Public Utilities Commission, the company announced. The new programs, originally scheduled to launch March 1, will now be available to customers starting April 1.

The ʻUkiu Energy 40-megawatt (MW) biofuel-powered generator facility would be built on 10 acres owned by Hawaiian Electric at Waena across from the Central Maui Landfill – Refuse and Recycling Center on Pūlehu Road.

Hawaiian Electric has extended the suspension of service disconnections for all Maui customers through at least Nov. 6. Maui customers who are financially challenged by the devastating wildfires will not have to worry about their electric service.

The US House Committee on Energy & Commerce is holding a subcommittee fact-finding hearing on Thursday in Washington, D.C., to investigate the role of electric infrastructure in the “catastrophic Maui fire” in Lahaina on Aug. 8 that killed at least 97 people.