PUC holds Molokai hearing on Hawaii Gas' request for a $24.3 million revenue increase

The Public Utilities Commission held a virtual public hearing for Molokai residents on Docket 2024-0158 to receive testimony on Hawaii Gas' application seeking about $24,346,000 in additional revenue, a roughly 17.67% statewide increase, and revisions to rate schedules and rules.

Nathan Nelson, general counsel at Hawaii Gas, told commissioners the Maui service territory — which includes Maui, Molokai and Lanai — is treated as one for tariff purposes. He said the company’s statewide request equates to about a 1.2% annual rate increase for Maui County residential customers and "it would increase by $6.7 for the average residential customer." Nelson said the company submitted a public presentation for the record and stood on that slide deck.

Michael Angelo, Executive Director of the Division of Consumer Advocacy, said his office represents consumer interests before the Commission and will "independently review the reasonableness of Hawaii Gas' requested rate increases and revised rate schedules and rules." Angelo said the Consumer Advocate will conduct discovery, request supporting data from the company and later submit recommendations to the Commission for its decision.

Chantel Lindo, a Molokai resident who identified herself as a community outreach specialist for the Maui County Council and an emergency management services worker for Molokai, testified she opposed the increase. "I oppose the increase," Lindo said, adding Molokai "already suffer[s] being the added on island" with higher shipping and barge costs, higher local fuel prices and limited fuel supplies that complicate emergency response. She said further increases would "severely cripple our community and our economy" unless shipping costs or other offsets are addressed.

Chair Leo Asuncion opened and closed the hearing and explained procedural rules: Hawaii Gas and the Division of Consumer Advocacy were each allotted eight minutes to present; other testifiers five minutes; and the Commission will accept written comments to PUC@hawaii.gov or by mail (reference docket 2024-0158). The Commission and the Consumer Advocate will continue reviewing evidence and the proceeding will conclude with a written decision from the Commission.

No formal vote or Commission decision was taken at the hearing. The Consumer Advocate’s review and any further filings or testimony will determine the next procedural steps and inform the Commission’s eventual written decision.