Hawaiʻi hearings begin on HECO proposal that could raise electric bills $11 to $15 a month

Hawaiian Electric Company customers may face higher electric bills as anger over repeated outages continues.

Before any change takes effect, the Public Utilities Commission will hold hearings around Hawai'i on a plan that would add $11 to $15 a month to a typical household bill.

Here's what to know

If regulators approve it, Hawaiian Electric said residential bills would rise by $11 to $15 per month and then hold at that level until 2032. In a YouTube report, KHON  (@KHONNewsHawaii) said that the PUC is holding statewide hearings, both in person and online, on Hawaiian Electric's rebasing proposal.

HECO said the filing is tied to expense recovery, changes in asset depreciation, and price growth since 2021, when it last revised rates. In the news clip, the company said those costs were driven by areas "out of our ability to control over the last five years."

Customers, though, are pushing back, saying it is hard to accept higher costs without more reliable service. One commenter wrote: "Their RELIABILITY is the issue!!!!"

More background

Frequent blackouts in East Honolulu are also expected to come up at the hearings, adding to the criticism surrounding the proposed increase. Residents there said outages have become too common.

That frustration came through in the KHON segment. One local resident said: "We do pay some of the highest rates in the nation for electricity. And we really need to get some type of long-term goal."

Commenters on the post were blunter. One wrote: "Why do we have to pay for their equipment and all they need??? Go to the bank ask for a loan HECO."

What can be done?

The hearing process gives customers a formal chance to detail the pressure of higher bills, unreliable service, and recurring outages.

It also requires HECO to lay out why it says inflation, depreciation, and expense recovery justify the requested increase.

Where can I learn more?

Hawai'i's debate over rising electric bills fits into a much wider fight over power costs. These stories look at proposed bill increases, how utilities spend ratepayer money, and other forces pushing electricity prices up.

• Nationally, utilities are seeking record-breaking $31 billion in rate hikes as backlash grows.

• Consumer advocates say some utilities are steering electricity bill revenue toward costly transmission projects.

• Utilities are also facing scrutiny over data center tariffs that could shift costs onto households.

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