Hawaii Public Utilities Commission

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is a state executive agency that regulates all chartered public utility companies in Hawaii ^[1][1] Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. "About the PUC." Hawaii.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://puc.hawaii.gov/about/.. It functions as a three-member board appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate ^[13][13] Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance. "Public Utilities Commission Description." Hawaii.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://budget.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/PUC.pdf.. The commission oversees more than 1,000 entities across the energy, telecommunications, water, sewage, and transportation sectors ^[9][9] Ililani Media. "Understanding the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission." Ililani Media, 2024-03-28, https://www.ililani.media/2024/03/understanding-hawaii-public-utilities.html.. Its legal mandate, established under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 269, requires the agency to ensure utility services are safe, reliable, and affordable ^[13][13] Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance. "Public Utilities Commission Description." Hawaii.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://budget.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/PUC.pdf.. The PUC specifically supervises major providers like Hawaiian Electric and Young Brothers to protect the public interest ^[9][9] Ililani Media. "Understanding the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission." Ililani Media, 2024-03-28, https://www.ililani.media/2024/03/understanding-hawaii-public-utilities.html.. It operates with an annual budget of approximately $19.1 million for fiscal year 2025 and employs a professional staff of engineers, accountants, and attorneys ^[1][1] Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. "About the PUC." Hawaii.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://puc.hawaii.gov/about/..

Historical Background

The Hawaii Legislature established the PUC in 1913 through Act 89 ^[8][8] Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. "Commission History." Hawaii.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://puc.hawaii.gov/about/history/.. Its creation followed a national trend toward specialized regulatory bodies rather than direct legislative supervision ^[8][8] Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. "Commission History." Hawaii.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://puc.hawaii.gov/about/history/.. Original jurisdiction covered electric, gas, telephone, and railroad operations to manage natural monopolies ^[8][8] Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. "Commission History." Hawaii.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://puc.hawaii.gov/about/history/.. In 1933, a major reorganization expanded the commission to five part-time members representing different counties ^[8][8] Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. "Commission History." Hawaii.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://puc.hawaii.gov/about/history/.. Authority shifted again in 1976 when the body returned to three full-time commissioners ^[13][13] Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance. "Public Utilities Commission Description." Hawaii.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://budget.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/PUC.pdf.. Recent history focuses on Hawaii's transition to 100% renewable energy by 2045 ^[12][12] Ballotpedia. "Hawaii Public Utilities Commission." Ballotpedia.org, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://ballotpedia.org/Hawaii_Public_Utilities_Commission.. In 2020, the PUC adopted a performance-based regulation framework to reward utilities for meeting social and environmental goals instead of just building infrastructure ^[11][11] Ulupono Initiative. "Regulation in Hawaii." Ulupono.com, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://ulupono.com/news-listing/regulation-in-hawaii/..

Current Events

Governor Josh Green appointed Jon Itomura as the new PUC Chair on January 14, 2026 ^[4][4] Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. "News & Events: January 2026." Hawaii.gov, 2026-01-30, https://puc.hawaii.gov/2026/01/.. In a major decision on March 23, 2026, the commission approved the Waiau Repowering Project for Oahu ^[5][5] Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. "PUC Approves New Firm Generation." Hawaii.gov, 2026-03-23, https://puc.hawaii.gov/news-release/puc-approves-new-firm-generation/.. This project replaces six old oil-fired units with flexible turbines to improve grid reliability ^[5][5] Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. "PUC Approves New Firm Generation." Hawaii.gov, 2026-03-23, https://puc.hawaii.gov/news-release/puc-approves-new-firm-generation/.. However, the PUC capped project costs at $847 million to protect ratepayers from a requested $1.15 billion increase ^[5][5] Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. "PUC Approves New Firm Generation." Hawaii.gov, 2026-03-23, https://puc.hawaii.gov/news-release/puc-approves-new-firm-generation/.. Effective January 1, 2026, the commission also authorized a 25.75% rate hike for Young Brothers to prevent a collapse of interisland shipping services ^[2][2] Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. "PUC Approves Young Brothers Rate Increase." Hawaii.gov, 2025-12-30, https://puc.hawaii.gov/news-release/puc-approves-young-brothers-rate-increase/.. In February 2026, the agency proposed creating the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program to help residents facing high utility costs ^[3][3] Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. "PUC Proposes HI-HEAP Bill." Hawaii.gov, 2026-02-18, https://puc.hawaii.gov/news-release/puc-proposes-hi-heap-bill/.. The PUC also completed a 2026 legislative report on establishing a wildfire recovery fund following the 2023 Maui disasters ^[14].