Maui, Hawaii Island residents push back against proposed HECO price hikes

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Residents on Maui and Hawaii Island gave strong testimony opposing a proposal to raise Hawaii Electric’s rates.

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The utility company is asking regulators to approve a $170 million consolidated revenue increase.

The hike would roll out in two phases starting in January 2027, adding about $11 a month on Oahu, Molokai, and Lanai, $14 on Maui and $15 on Hawaii Island.

In public hearings in Kona and Maui this week, testifiers unanimously opposed the plan, arguing recent fuel price spikes have already raised household bills.

Maui resident Shay Chan Hodges said while she understands fuel prices are out of HECO’s hands, more needs to be done.

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“I would imagine that most people think there already has been a rate increase because their bills are going sky high,” she said at the Maui hearing. “I understand that has nothing to do with HECO. (It) has to do with what’s going on internationally. But all people are looking at is what their actual bill is and how they’re going to cover it.”

At the Kona hearing, Tim Reed, founder and president of Kau Radio, also opposed the increase due to the increased cost of living.

“We’re definitely opposed to rate increases when we just had a very large increase… That includes our cost of food, cost of everything else, because the grocery store has got to pay more and everybody else has got to pay more. So that all comes back down to us,” he said.

HECO said the increase is needed to catch up with inflation, rising insurance premiums and the retirement of older power plants.

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A decision on the increased rates has not been made.

Hearings on Molokai and Oahu are scheduled later this week.