| Issue 26-02 (corrected May 21)* | May 20, 2026 | | | |
*Date Correction: Public Information Webinar: Hawai‘i PUC Liability Cap Rulemaking
Please note a correction to the webinar date previously included in the newsletter. The Hawai‘i PUC Liability Cap Rulemaking informational webinar will take place this upcoming Friday, May 22, 2026 at 9:15 a.m. HST. You can pre-register for the webinar using the link here. A recording of the webinar will be available online after the event. We apologize for any confusion and appreciate your understanding.
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I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to return to public service and serve as Chair of the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Mahalo to Governor Josh Green for my appointment and to the Hawaiʻi State Senate for confirming my nomination. I look forward to working alongside the commissioners and dedicated staff of the PUC as we continue serving the people of Hawaiʻi.
I will rely upon my 25 years of experience within state government, including 16 years serving as the Supervising Attorney for the Division of Consumer Advocacy. Witnessing and noting the severe consequences of the Maui wildfires and recent storm systems has further reinforced the importance of safe, reliable, affordable, and resilient utility services for every household and business in Hawaiʻi.
I am in full support of the PUC’s 2024 Inclinations on the Future of Energy in Hawaiʻi, which set forth the priorities needed to accelerate Hawaiʻi’s transition to a 100 percent renewable energy future. I also support Governor Green’s Executive Order 25-01, which directs the PUC to streamline processes, eliminate inefficiencies, and reduce costs for utility ratepayers. Pursuant to these priorities, I am committed to move decisively to strengthen our energy system to ensure reliability, affordability, and resiliency.
I believe meaningful progress requires collaboration and my focus is to work together with consumer communities, utility stakeholders, and government policy determinations to deliver results across all our regulated industries — electricity, gas, telecom, water and wastewater, and transportation over ground and water. I am ready to work with excellent and dedicated commissioners and PUC staff to move quickly, collaborate effectively, and ensure transparent and positive outcomes for the people of Hawaiʻi. Let’s work together — and accomplish goals together.
| | Senate Confirms Jon Itomura as PUC Chair | | PUC Chair Jon Itomura with Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection | | PUC Chair Jon Itomura with Senate President Ron Kouchi on the Senate floor. | | |
The Hawaiʻi State Senate confirmed Jon Itomura as a commissioner and chair for the Public Utilities Commission by unanimous vote (24-0) on Friday, May 8, 2026. His term runs through June 30, 2032.
The confirmation follows a unanimous recommendation from the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection after a confirmation hearing held Thursday, April 16, 2026. Gov. Josh Green appointed Itomura as commissioner and chair of the PUC Jan. 14.
Chair Itomura brings more than 25 years of public service and regulatory experience to the commission, strengthening its leadership as Hawaiʻi advances toward its clean energy goals.
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HI‑HEAP Bill Falls Short in Final Days of Session
The Hawaiʻi Home Energy Assistance Program (HI-HEAP) bill ultimately did not pass out of conference committee, as the House and Senate were unable to reach a final agreement before the end of the legislative session.
The proposal was intended to help qualifying households struggling with rising electricity cost by expanding access to direct utility payment assistance. The PUC remains committed to exploring solutions that improve energy affordability and expand access to assistance programs for Hawaiʻi residents.
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PUC Seeks Input on Wildfire Liability Rules
The PUC is seeking input from community members, organizations, utilities, government agencies, and other interested stakeholders across Hawaiʻi as it develops administrative rules under Act 258 to establish a liability cap framework for wildfire-related damages involving electric utilities. The engagement process will help inform future rulemaking discussions related to wildfire preparedness, utility accountability, affordability, and long-term resilience.
A webinar will be held May 22* at 9:15 a.m. to provide an overview of the rulemaking process, key concepts related to the liability cap framework and participation guidance, including how to submit comments and share your input. Pre-register here.
Written submissions will be accepted through June 15, 2026.
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*Date Correction: Public Information Webinar: Hawai‘i PUC Liability Cap Rulemaking
Please note a correction to the webinar date previously included in the newsletter. The Hawai‘i PUC Liability Cap Rulemaking informational webinar will take place this upcoming Friday, May 22, 2026 at 9:15 a.m. HST. A recording of the webinar will be available online after the event. We apologize for any confusion and appreciate your understanding.
| | FOCUSED ON HAWAIʻI'S ENERGY FUTURE | |
PUC Approves HECO's Waiau Repowering Project; Caps Costs to Protect Customers
The Public Utilities Commission approved new firm generation for Hawaiian Electric’s Waiau Repowering Project, which strengthens Oʻahu’s grid and electric reliability, while building in strong safeguards to limit financial impacts to customers. The project will replace six aging oil-fired units with new fuel-flexible turbines that improve reliability as older fossil fuel units retire. To protect consumers, the commission capped cost recovery at $847 million, with the project estimated to add about $3.62 to a typical monthly residential bill.
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PUC Extends Electric Bus and EV Charging Pilot Programs
The Public Utilities Commission approved extensions to Hawaiian Electric’s Charge Up eBus Pilot and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging tariff pilot programs, supporting continued progress in transportation electrification and grid efficiency. The Charge Up eBus Pilot helps reduce upfront costs for electric bus charging, while the EV charging tariffs pilot encourages EV charging during mid-day hours when renewable energy is abundant and system costs are lower. The extensions allow additional time to complete projects and maintains participation without interruption, reflecting the PUC’s oversight of pilot programs to foster innovation while ensuring accountability and alignment with Hawaiʻi’s clean energy goals.
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PUC Opens Docket on Virtual Power Plant Program
The Public Utilities Commission opened a new docket to design and implement a Virtual Power Plant program aimed at better integrating customer-sited energy resources, such as rooftop solar and battery storage.The proceeding will explore how these resources can be more effectively coordinated and incentivized to improve grid reliability and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, while expanding participation opportunities for more low- and middle-income customers.
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PUC Hosts Technical Conference on Electricity Wheeling
The Public Utilities Commission convened a hybrid Technical Conference and Stakeholder Workshop April 7th for its Electricity Wheeling docket. Wheeling allows renewable electricity, like solar power, to be delivered across the utility’s grid from where it is generated to another customer’s utility account, allowing customers to benefit from renewable energy produced elsewhere. The conference focused on Hawaiian Electric’s Retail Wheeling Straw Proposal, stakeholder feedback, and next steps toward developing a program aligned with Act 266 (SLH 2025).
Watch the recorded conference, read the proposal and learn more
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PUC Updates Consumer Education Brochure
The PUC released an updated Consumer Education Brochure to help residents quickly understand the Commission’s role and the industries it regulates. The brochure explains the PUC’s review process for utility requests, opportunities to stay informed and engaged, and guidance on filing complaints against a regulated entity.
View, download or print the PUC’s Consumer Education Brochure
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Hawaiʻi Energy Launches Appliance Replacement Program for Storm-Impacted Residents
In response to the recent Kona Low storms, Hawaiʻi Energy has launched an Appliance Replacement Program to help residents replace damaged household appliances with new energy-efficient models. The program, provides eligible households access to ENERGY STAR® refrigerators, freezers, washers and dryers at a reduced cost.
Eligible residents may purchase appliances for as low as $250 per unit. Additional financial assistance may be available for those who qualify, and applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Learn more and apply
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Hawaiʻi One Call Center Promotes Digging Safety and Prevention
Calling 811 before digging helps prevent accidental utility line strikes that can cause serious injuries, service disruptions, and property damage. This spring, the Hawaiʻi One Call Center hosted statewide seminars focused on excavation safety, underground utility damage prevention, and compliance with the One Call Law requiring excavators to contact 811 before digging.
Read more
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Join us to learn more, ask questions and share your input on pending issues in your community. Click on the topic links below for more information. | | PUC CORE VALUES: Service • Transparency • Collaboration • Leadership | |
| Watch live streams and recordings of Commission hearings and other events on YouTube. | | | | |
