Public Utilities Commission

Commissioner Naomi Kuwaye of the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission spoke on the urgency of accelerating the state’s clean energy transition during a Feb. 27 panel discussion with members of Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE). Kuwaye focused on the policy direction needed at a pivotal moment for the state’s energy future, calling for stronger regulatory action and a clear focus on safety, reliability and affordability.

Kuwaye appeared on the panel with Mark Glick, chief energy officer at the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, in a discussion moderated by Aimee Barnes, founder and CEO of Hua Nani Partners. While Glick painted a picture of Hawai‘i’s current energy landscape and updated energy strategy, Kuwaye filled in on how the commission can implement the state’s renewable energy future.

Kuwaye put the spotlight on the PUC’s 2024 white paper, Inclinations on the Future of Energy in Hawaiʻi, which outlines the commission’s direction through 2030, the next renewable energy portfolio standards milestone requiring 40 percent renewable energy generation. “We developed this paper out of concern about the pace of progress towards our renewable energy goals and the need to address today’s modern challenges,” Kuwaye said. “In the decade since the release of the first Inclinations paper, Hawaiʻi’s energy landscape has changed dramatically.  This update was needed to address today’s realities and challenges.”

The white paper identifies three guiding themes: safety, reliability and affordability, and calls action in critical priorities including transmission and distribution hardening, accelerated renewable integration, expanded interconnection of distributed and utility-scale resources, modernization of cybersecurity infrastructure, and creation of resilience hubs.

Kuwaye also pointed to efforts to strengthen community benefit packages offered by developers of new projects aimed at creating lasting, community-driven infrastructure, resiliency and sustainability over one-time contributions.

“We are at a critical period, and we need to address these issues promptly,” Kuwaye said. “Safety, resiliency and affordability aren’t just priorities, they’re the foundation for Hawaiʻi’s clean energy future.”

Kuwaye also serves as a WiRE advisory council member and has been a member since 2010 when the organization was established. “Women’s voices matter and we need to heard without hesitation or fear of being dismissed,” said Kuwaye.  “Women remain underrepresented in the energy industry, and WiRE creates the space for women leaders to support one another and mentor the next generation.”

WiRE is a statewide nonprofit that connects and empowers women in Hawaiʻi’s renewable energy industry through professional development, mentorship and networking. The PUC continues to collaborate with community and industry partners to advance the state’s clean energy goals and ensure a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy future for residents.