| Issue 26-01 | February 18, 2026 | | | Welcome to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission’s first edition of
PUC Connection — our new e-newsletter! We look forward to regularly sharing with you highlights of the PUC’s work, along with information about upcoming events, including public hearings and meetings. |
Governor appoints Jon Itomura
as PUC Chair
Governor Josh Green has appointed Jon Itomura to serve as Chair of the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC), bringing one of Hawaii’s most experienced utility and consumer advocates to lead the state’s utility regulatory agency. Itomura brings more than 25 years of public service and regulatory experience to the commission.
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PUC Legislative Team
Engages Lawmakers as
2026 Session Begins
The Public Utilities Commission’s legislative team is actively engaged as the 2026 session begins. The PUC recently completed its informational budget briefings before Senate Committee on Ways and Means and House Finance Committee on Jan. 8 and 16, respectively. These briefings outlined the Commission’s budget priorities and explained requests that support our mission to ensure utility services are delivered in safe, reliable, and resilient ways. Our agency also had the opportunity to share our strong employee recruitment and retention, as a result of our innovative strategies and employee engagement efforts.
Now in the second year of the biennium, the PUC will continue working with lawmakers and stakeholders to advance clean energy goals while maintaining safety, reliability, and affordability for residents and businesses.
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PUC Proposes HI-HEAP Bill to Help Customers
Struggling with Electricity Costs
As a part of the State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs legislative package for the 2026 Legislative Session, the PUC submitted a legislative proposal to establish the Hawaiʻi Home Energy Assistance Program (“HI-HEAP”) Program.
This HI-HEAP proposal is designed to provide critical relief to Hawaiʻi ratepayers who are struggling to meet rising energy costs. HI-HEAP would allow more families to be eligible to receive direct payment assistance. Additionally, eligible households would benefit from energy audits offered by the Public Benefits Fee Administrator, which would make their homes more energy efficient and further reduce energy costs.
Learn more about the PUC's HI-HEAP proposal
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2025 PUC Annual Report (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025)
In January, the PUC submitted its Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report highlighting the dedication, innovation and impact of the PUC over the past year. Beyond our oversight of regulated utilities across all sectors — electricity, gas, water and wastewater, telecommunications, motor carriers, and water carriers — the report also details our enforcement activities, administration of key customer programs such as Hawaiʻi Energy, the One Call Center, the Telephone Relay Service, and the Print Disability Program, as well as our role in resolving customer-utility complaints. This report reflects the PUC’s continued commitment to serving the public with excellence and integrity.
Read the full report
| | FOCUSED ON HAWAII'S ENERGY FUTURE | | | | |
Inclinations on the Future of Energy in Hawaiʻi
As we enter 2026, the PUC is proud to continue the work laid out in its 2024 Inclinations on the Future of Energy in Hawaiʻi, which offers a forward-looking roadmap through the year 2030, to meet and exceed the next milestone of the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standards. Just as importantly, it underscored the need to balance affordability, reliability, resilience, and equitable access to clean energy benefits to support a transition to a 100% renewable energy future that is not only technically achievable, but also equitable and sustainable.
Read the 2024 Inclinations on the Future of Energy in Hawaiʻi
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Hawaiian Electric's Wildfire Mitigation Plans Approved
In a major step toward improving public safety and the resilience of Hawaii’s electric grid, the Public Utilities Commission approved Hawaiian Electric’s 2025-2027 Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP) and completed a comprehensive study on whether to establish a wildfire recovery fund in late December. As Hawaiʻi confronts increasing wildfire threats and the devastation they can bring, the commission continues to prioritize the safety, stability and long-term wellbeing of Hawaiʻi’s communities.
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| | FOSTERING A STRONG WORKPLACE CULTURE | | |
All-Staff Meeting and Training Support Employee Engagement, Growth and Well-Being
In December 2025, PUC employees came together for a day of learning, connection and updates on key initiatives shaping our workplace.
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PUC First to Launch
New Employee Performance Management System
The PUC became the first state executive agency to implement an online Employee Performance Management (EPM) platform. This innovative tool, which supports the Department of Human Resource Development's Performance Appraisal System, replaced many manual processes. The EPM brings a modern, interactive and year‑round approach to tracking employee performance and development — featuring goal-setting, continuous feedback and stronger communication and work relationships between supervisors and staff. This system reflects our commitment to continuous process improvement, supporting employee performance and growth, and fostering high employee engagement.
| | | Join in-person at upcoming public hearings to learn more, ask questions and share your input on pending issues in your community. Click on the 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. | | | | |
