PUC hears that Punaluu Water & Sanitation is out of funds; consumer advocate urges receivership

The Public Utilities Commission held a status conference on docket 2025-0167 to review the financial and operational condition of Punaluu Water and Sanitation (PWS) and to consider next steps, including a request for a temporary rate increase and a consumer-advocate recommendation that the commission appoint a receiver.

PWS’s counsel, Will Yamamoto, told the commission that "the only thing the primary thing preventing PWS from continuing to operate is simply funding, not a lack of desire." Yamamoto said PWS has exhausted loans and owner contributions and faces unpaid liabilities that it hopes a temporary rate increase would cover.

The consumer advocate, Mike Angelo, recommended the commission appoint a receiver pursuant to HRS Section 269-14.5, saying the proposal is grounded in concerns about ‘‘the health and safety of the utility customers of PWS’’ and continued uncertainty about whether the land-development funding PWS expects will materialize.

Why it matters: PWS supplies water and wastewater service to its customers. Commissioners said they will take the filings and testimony under advisement and anticipate issuing a written decision on PWS’s request for a temporary rate increase; the outcome will determine whether the operator can be paid and whether immediate service interruptions can be avoided.

Details from PWS: Yamamoto said the current ownership committed $520,000 in aggregate when it assumed operations (covering…