Notice of Public Hearing – Launiupoko Water Company Rate Increase (Docket No. 2023-0465)

Posted on Jan 31, 2025 in Announcements, Public Notice

The State of Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) will conduct a public hearing on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Lahaina Intermediate School regarding Launiupoko Water Company, Inc.’s (“LWC”) application for a rate increase and revised rate schedules and tariff changes. All are invited to attend the public hearing and state their views on the application or submit written comments, which are further described below.

Public Hearing Information

Date & Time Utility Service Territory Location
March 3, 2025; 5:30 p.m. Maui – Launiupoko In-person
Lahaina Intermediate School
871 Lahainaluna Road
Lahaina, HI 96761

Special Assistance

If you require auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations due to a disability, please contact the Public Utilities Commission as soon as possible at (808) 586-2020 or [email protected]. Requests made early have a greater likelihood of being fulfilled.

Brief Summary of Application

Launiupoko Water Company, Inc. (“LWC”) is a public utility authorized to provide potable water service within its service territory in the Launiupoko region of West Maui.

Through its application, LWC seeks Commission approval to increase annual revenue by $429,197, or about 48.4%, over total revenues at present rates. The company’s proposed increases in rates and standby charges are as follows:

Proposed Rate Increases

User Consumption Current Rate (per 1,000 gallons) Including Energy Cost Adjustment Proposed Rate (per 1,000 gallons) Increase ($) Increase (%)
0-10,000 Gal $2.40 $2.40 $0.00 0.0%
10,001-25,000 Gal $2.90 $2.90 $0.00 0.0%
25,001-40,000 Gal $3.28 $3.30 $0.02 0.6%
Over 40,000 Gal New* $6.05 New* New*

*The current rate for all consumption over 25,000 gallons is $3.28 per gallon.

Proposed Standby Charge Increases

Meter Size Current Standby Charge Proposed Standby Charge Increase ($) Increase (%)
5/8 in $35.00 $43.15 $8.15 23.3%
3/4 in $43.00 $64.73 $21.73 50.5%
1 in $52.00 $107.88 $55.88 107.5%
1.5 in $57.00 $215.75 $158.75 278.5%
2 in $62.00 $345.20* $283.20 456.8%
3 in $67.00 $647.25* $580.25 866.0%
4 in $72.00 $1,078.75* $1,006.75 1,398.3%
6 in $85.00 $2,157.50* $2,072.50 2,438.2%
Over 6 in $100.00 – – –

*LWC currently has no meters larger than 1.5 inches. Proposed rates are determined by meter equivalents.

Other Proposed Tariff Amendments

LWC also seeks to modify several rules in its tariff, including:

  • Rule VII: Recover credit card fees (1.3%) and ACH transaction fees ($0.75 per transaction).
  • Rule IX: Increase penalty charge from $50.00 to $500.00 for negligent or wasteful use of water.
  • Rule XXII: Clarify that LWC’s tariff rules do not override federal, state, or local laws.
  • Rule XXIII: Increase facilities reserve charges for replacing water meters.
  • Rule XXIV: Increase storage assessment fees from $500 per lot to $1,000 per lot.
  • Rule XXVI: Adjust the automatic power cost base energy cost from $1.0296 per 1,000 gallons to $1.76 per 1,000 gallons.

The Commission will investigate whether LWC’s proposed rates and tariff amendments are just and reasonable.

For the full Amended Application, visit the DOCUMENTS tab for Docket No. 2023-0465 at the PUC Case and Document Management System.

Public Comments and Statements

Comments may be submitted in writing or given orally during the hearing. All written comments will be publicly accessible on the PUC’s Case and Document Management System.

Comments During the Hearing:

Persons wishing to give oral comments may register at the time of the hearing. Submission of written comments in addition to oral comments is encouraged.

Written Comments:

  • Reference Docket No. 2023-0465.
  • Include the author’s name and organization (if applicable).
  • Submit via:

More Information