Consumer Advocacy – Public Utilities (DCA)

Beginning Feb. 1, 2022, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs expanded the assistance available to Native Hawaiians through its Ka Wailele Emergency Financial Assistance Program. In addition to mortgage, rental and utility support, Ka Wailele will now offer relief for car repairs, funeral expenses, and out-of-pocket medical expenses. Maximum awards have also increased from $1,500 to $2,000.  OHA made over $1 ...
Read More OHA’s Ka Wailele Emergency Financial Assistance Program

Check out DCCA’s National Consumer Protection Week Virtual Consumer Fair taking place virtually from March 7-11, 2022 at 10-11am HST. https://cca.hawaii.gov/ncpw/ Learn from experts on how to protect yourself from various scams and what you can do to become a smarter consumer. Here’s a line-up of the speakers: Debora Sanehira, DCCA’s own from the RICO ...
Read More March 7-11 – National Consumer Protection Week!

Hu Honua’s Evidentiary hearing is rescheduled to March 1, 2022, thru March 4, 2022.In Order No. 38215 the Commission lifted the suspension on this docket and resumed proceedings following the Supreme Court’s dismissal of Hu Honua’s Notice of Appeal in SCOT-22-0000024. Hu Honua, which does business as Honua Ola Bioenergy, has been seeking the PUC’s approval to ...
Read More March 1-4 – Evidentiary Hearing for Hu Honua and Hawaii Electric Light Company (Rescheduled)

Hawaiian Electric will be hosting a virtual public meeting seeking public input prior to filing draft RFP. To help meet Hawaii’s decarbonization goals, Hawaiian Electric will file a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for firm renewable energy procurement for Oahu. Firm renewable energy differs from intermittent resources such as solar and wind in that it ...
Read More February 24 – Virtual public meeting on plans for firm renewable energy on Oahu

Through the Rental and Utility Relief Program, more residents on Oahu can now qualify for help from the Program, thanks to new federal funding and eligibility rules. Renters who have suffered economic harm during the COVID-19 pandemic can qualify. This includes losing a job, reduced income or wages, or higher household costs since March 13, ...
Read More More Oahu Families Can Qualify for Rent Help

Hawaiian Electric will apply $2 million in bill credits for customers who have struggled to pay their electric bill during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kokua Fund Bill Credit Program will automatically provide a one-time credit of $90 to past-due balances for about 22,000 residential and business customers by Jan. 31.   Customers should note the following:  ...
Read More Hawaiian Electric ‘Kokua Fund’

In this issue: 2022 Legislative Session, Affordable Connectivity Program, Hu Honua Bioenergy Proceedings, Application for Approval of Fuels Transportation Contract with Sause Bros., Inc., PUC Approves the Power Purchase Agreement between KIUC and AES West Kauai Energy Project, Utility Bill Assistance Available, Application for Approval of the Sale and Transfer of Assets of HOH Utilities, ...
Read More Issue #50 – January 2022

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is providing mortgage and utility assistance, as well as housing and legal counseling, for homeowners on Oʻahu impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications open January 21 at 10:00AM Eligible Expenses Mortgage (arrears from January 21, 2020 to current) Utilities (electric, gas, water/sewer, trash) Homeowners Insurance fees Homeowners Association fees ...
Read More Oahu Homeowner Assistance Fund

Hawaiian Electric crews will be replacing overhead power lines along Diamond Head Road on consecutive Wednesdays, Jan. 12 and 19, and Friday, Jan. 21, from 8:30 am. to 3 p.m. The work will close the westbound (mauka) lane in the 3100 block, between Beach Road and Makalei Place, and traffic contraflowed during the work hours. No parking will be ...
Read More Upcoming Utility Work to Impact Traffic Jan. 12, 18-21, & 24

On December 31 the FCC launched the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). This longer-term program was created by Congress in the Infrastructure and Jobs Act, and replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit program.  This investment in broadband affordability will help ensure households and Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries can afford the internet connections they need for work, school, ...
Read More Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)