HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02-24 Minutes of the Public Hearing on the Power Cost Adjustment MINUTES
WATER BOARD PUBLIC HEARING ON THE
PROPOSED NEW COST OF POWER ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE
February 24, 2026
Department of Water Supply, Hilo Operations, 889 Leilam Street, Hilo, Hawaii
PRESENT: Mr.Michael Kekela Jr., Chairperson, Dist.4
Mr. Keith Unger, Vice-Chairperson, Dist. 6
Mr. Colin Miura, Water Board Member, Dist. I
Mr. Guy Alameda, Water Board Member, Dist. 3
Mr. Keith K. Okamoto,Manager-Chief Engineer,
Department of Water Supply (ex-officio member)
ABSENT: Mr. James Lee, Water Board Member, Dist. 2
Ms. Emily Taaroa, Water Board Member, Dist. 5
Mr. Stephen Lopez, Water Board Member, Dist. 8
Mr.Philip Aiona,Water Board Member, Dist. 9
Director,Planning Department(ex-officio member)
Director, Department of Public Works (ex-officio member)
OTHERS PRESENT: Ms. Diana Mellon-Lacey,Deputy Corporation Counsel
DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY STAFF:
Mr. Kawika Uyehara, Deputy
Mr. Allan Simeon, Engineering Division Head
Ms. Shari Uyeno, Assistant Engineering Division Head
Ms. Sharilynn Olivar, Assistant Waterworks Controller
Mr. Gregory Goodale, Chief of Operations
Mr. Alvin Inouye, Water Operations Superintendent
Ms. Maraca Keamo, Senior Clerk Stenographer
(Chairperson Kekela called the meeting to order at 9:45 a.m.)
CHR. KEKELA: Good morning. Will the public hearing of the Water Board on the proposed new cost of
Power Adjustment Clause please come to order? I am Pono Kekela, Chair for the Hawaii County Water
Board, and I would like to take this opportunity to have the Secretary take a roll call for who is in
attendance from the Board.
MS. KEAMO: Mr. Miura?
MR. MIURA: Present.
MS. KEAMO: Mr. Lee? (no response)Mr. Alameda?
MR. ALAMEDA: Present.
MS. KEAMO: Ms. Taaroa? (no response) Mr.Unger?
MR.UNGER: Here.
MS. KEAMO: Mr. Lopez? (no response) Mr. Aiona? (no response) Chairperson Kekela?
CHR. KEKELA: E6. Thank you.Notice of the public hearing was published in the Hawaii Tribune-
Herald and in the West Hawaii Today on February 4,2026.
The Department of Water Supply is operated and controlled by this Water Board as provided by the
Hawaii County Charter. Section 63 of Part III, Chapter 54, Hawai`i Revised Statutes,reads as follows:
"The Board of Water Supply may fix and adjust rates and charges for the furnishing of
water and for water services so that the revenues derived therefrom shall be sufficient to
make the waterworks and water systems self-supporting and to meet all expenditures
authorized by this part; the Board may establish variable rates among the several districts
of the County, or among the areas served by the individual water systems within the
County,for the purpose of establishing charges as closely as possible to the necessary
amount required for the maintenance and operation of the particular individual water
systems;provided no rates and charges shall be fixed or adjusted prior to the holding by
the Board of a public hearing,public notice of which shall have been given not less than
twenty days before the date set for the hearing. The notice shall state the time and place
for the hearing and the proposed rates and charges to be considered thereat. The time
within which the notice shall be given shall be computed by including the first day(the
day of notice) and excluding the last day."
We are here to receive comments or testimony on the proposed amendment to the Power Cost Charge.
The Department recommends decreasing the Power Cost Charge from $2.98 to $2.84 per thousand
gallons to reflect the decrease in power costs.
As stated in the hearing notice, all comments or testimony were to be filed in writing before the time of
the hearing or register to have testimony included via web conference application. We would like to
follow this format as closely as possible;however,because there may be some of you who do not have
any written statements but would like to testify or comment,we would like to afford you this opportunity
to do so,but would like to limit such presentations to three minutes because of the time limit.
The hearing is now open for comments from the floor. Ms. Maraea,is there anyone registered to provide
oral testimony, or is there any written testimony?
MS. KEAMO: There are none.
CHR. KEKELA: Thank you. At this time, I would like to entertain a motion that this public hearing be
closed.
ACTION: Mr. Unger moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Miura and carried unanimously by
voice vote (Ayes: 4—Board Members Miura, Alameda,Unger, and Chairperson Kekela).
(Public Hearing adjourned at 9:49 a.m)
Recording Secretary
APPROVED BY WATER BOARD
(March 24, 2026)
Page 2 of 2 February 24,2026,Public Hearing on the Power Cost Charge Minutes