Waikoloa Utilities seek large rate increases; residents and consumer advocate call for closer review

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) heard public testimony in Waikoloa Village on a request by Waikoloa Resort Utilities — operating as West Hawaii Utility Company, West Hawaii Sewer Company and West Hawaii Water Company — for multi‑million dollar net revenue increases that, if approved, the utility says would raise some customer bills in the village by well over 30% and certain water rates by as much as about 67.9%.

The request, described in the utilities’ amended application filed Dec. 17, 2024 and presented at the hearing, asks the Commission to approve separate net revenue increases for several Waikoloa systems and related tariff changes, including a credit tied to corporate tax changes and a surcharge to recover deferred COVID‑19 costs. The Consumer Advocate said it will independently evaluate the company’s request and that public comments will inform that review.

Jeff Volk, general manager of Hawaii Water Service, told the PUC that rates for the Waikoloa systems have been unchanged since Feb. 8, 2019 and that the company has invested nearly $33 million in the Waikoloa system since that last adjustment. "Current base rates have not been increased for 6 years, and they no longer reflect the actual cost of providing safe and reliable water service," Volk said, summarizing the company’s justification for the filing. He said the company’s capital spending since 2019 includes about $11 million in treatment and…