| Issue 26-04 | September 11, 2026 | | |
PUC Wins DCCA Team of the Year and Spirit of DCCA Awards
The Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) Core Values Team has won the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Team of the Year award and will proudly represent the department at the Governor’s Awards on Sept. 15. The team, made up of a dozen employees from across the agency, was recognized for employee-led initiatives from January through December 2025 that helped sustain our collaborative, highly engaged service-focused workplace.
PUC Communications Specialist Valerie Trujillo also received the Spirit of DCCA Award for her contributions to strengthen employee engagement, communication and workplace connection.
These honors reflect the strong culture fostered across the PUC and recognize employees whose everyday contributions help our organization thrive and positively impact those we serve.
Read the full story and learn more about these achievements.
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Kris Nakagawa Returns to Lead PUC Legal Team
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is pleased to welcome back Kris Nakagawa as Chief Counsel. Nakagawa previously served at the PUC from 1999 to 2005, first as PUC counsel and later as Chief Counsel, and returns with more than 30 years of experience in utility regulation, administrative law, executive leadership and a deep understanding of Hawaiʻi’s regulatory landscape. Most recently, he served as Vice President of External and Legal Affairs at Young Brothers. Nakagawa will lead the PUC’s legal section and help advance the PUC’s work to ensure safe, reliable and affordable utility services.
Read the full announcement on the PUC website
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Coming Soon! A New Look for the PUC Website
Exciting changes are coming to the Public Utilities Commission website! We’re working on a new design with improved navigation and a more user-friendly experience that will make it easier to find important information and resources. The website’s new look is expected go live late this year.
Mahalo to those who completed our website survey in June/July. Your feedback is helping us identify improvements to the website.
Learn more
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Permanent Support Expands Access for People with Print Disabilities
The Public Utilities Commission has established a permanent funding source to expand no-cost access to newspapers, public notices, emergency alerts and other important information for qualified individuals who are blind, have low vision or have other print disabilities. The program, which has operated as a pilot since 2023, will now receive ongoing support through the Hawaiʻi Universal Service Fund. Telecommunications providers are required to contribute to the fund and may pass the cost on to customers as a small charge—approximately 10 cents for every $100 on a telecommunications bill.
Read the full press release to learn more.
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PUC Hosts Technical Conference on Virtual Power Plants
On June 16 and Sept. 2, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) convened a technical conference for its Virtual Power Plant (VPP) docket bringing together PUC staff and stakeholders to discuss key design considerations, customer participation, compensation mechanisms, and next steps toward developing a VPP program for Hawaiian Electric’s service territories.
A VPP is a program that connects customer-owned energy resources, such as rooftop solar, home batteries, and electric vehicles, so they can work together to help meet electricity demand and support grid reliability.
Watch the June 16 VPP technical conference
Watch the September 2 VPP technical conference
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Chair Itomura Shares PUC Priorities in Recent Media Interviews
Chair Jon Itomura sat down with Hawaiʻi Public Radio and KHON2 to discuss several of the PUC’s current priorities. During the interviews, Chair Itomura shared insights on advancing Hawaiʻi's clean energy transition, balancing affordability and reliability, encouraging public participation, and the PUC's oversight of recent Young Brothers shipping disruptions. Together, the interviews offered the public a closer look at the PUC's role and its ongoing commitment to transparent, thoughtful, and timely decision-making.
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Hawaiʻi Energy Rebates for Residents and Businesses
With late-summer temperatures in full swing, now is a great time for Hawaiʻi residents and businesses to explore ways to reduce energy use and manage electricity costs. Hawaiʻi Energy's 2026–2027 rebate program offers incentives for qualifying residential and commercial upgrades including air conditioning systems, heat pump and solar water heaters, ENERGY STAR appliances, LED lighting, and more.
Whether you're replacing an aging appliance, planning a home improvement project, or you’re looking for energy-saving solutions for your business, these rebates can help offset upfront costs while supporting long-term energy savings.
Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis through June 30, 2027, while funding lasts.
Visit the Hawaiʻi Energy website to learn more about available rebates and eligibility.
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Lifeline Awareness Week: Helping Hawaiʻi Residents Stay Connected
Phone and internet access can be essential for staying connected to health care, employment, emergency services and other important resources. In recognition of Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week, Sept. 13–19, the PUC is highlighting the federal Lifeline program, which offers monthly discounts on qualifying phone or internet service for eligible low-income households. Learn more about the program and how to apply by visiting LifelineSupport.org
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| | PUC CORE VALUES: Transparency • Leadership • Collaboration • Service | |
| Watch live streams and recordings of Commission hearings and other events on YouTube. | | | | |
