Consumer Advocacy – Public Utilities (DCA)

 The PUC must review a utility’s application and hold hearings to allow the public and participants in the case to present their viewpoints.

Schedule of PUC Public Hearings

Public Hearings and Monthly Meetings Calendar

Other Public Utilities Commission Announcements

Submitting Public Comment

The PUC accepts public comment on open dockets and other matters before the Commission. These may be submitted in writing or given orally during the hearing. All written comments will be publicly accessible on the PUC’s Case and Document Management System.

All written comments should reference the docket number and include the author’s name and the entity or organization that the author represents, if any. Written public comments can be submitted through the following methods:

• Online by completing a web form
• By email
• By mail:
  Hawaii Public Utilities Commission
  465 South King St., #103
  Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

How to Participate in a PUC Public Hearing

Where to Find Hearing Information: You can access information on monthly hearings from many sources. These include government notices in local newspapers, the DCA website (www.dcca.hawaii.gov/dca), and the PUC website (puc.hawaii.gov/).

Your Participation is Important: A public hearing is your opportunity to raise any concerns you might have that relate to the purpose of the hearing as set forth by the Commission. For example, if the hearing focuses on a company’s request to increase your monthly bill, you will want to focus your comments on how you feel this will affect you and your community. Your input, whether as an individual, business, or community organization, assists the division in its efforts to represent ratepayers and helps the commission make a more informed decision.

Preparing for the Hearing: Reading the hearing notice is a good way to acquaint yourself with some of the basic issues that will be raised during the public hearing. You also have the option of contacting the Division directly with your questions or referring to our website.

Preparing Your Public Comment: The Division highly recommends that you consider the following ideas to ensure that your comments are heard and fully considered.

• If appropriate, back up the issues you raise with personal experiences.
• Do not be afraid to raise or refer to the same issues that others have raised in their public comment, as this adds emphasis.
• Put your public comment or statement in writing. It does not matter whether your public comment is handwritten or typewritten, but a written document ensures that your comments will become part of the record.
• You are more than welcome to read your public comment or statement at the hearing when called upon to speak. Should your public comment be lengthy (exceeding three or four pages), it is recommended that you paraphrase your comments to allow sufficient time for others to offer their comments. Also, speak slowly and clearly.

Arrive Early: Arriving at the hearing early will allow you time to find a seat and hear any instructions that the Commission might have at the beginning of the hearing. For this reason, you should plan to arrive at the hearing 10 to 15 minutes before it begins.

Sign In If You Are Going to Testify: Upon arrival at the hearing, report to the information table and sign up to testify or offer comments to the Commission. Individuals are usually called in the order in which they have signed up to testify.