Hawai'i Kai sewer firm dealt a setback
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser East Honolulu Writer
HAWAI'I KAI — The state's consumer advocate has recommended a 3.5 percent decrease in rates for East Honolulu sewer users, rather than the 18.6 percent increase sought by the privately owned Hawai'i American Water Co.
"I consider this very good news," said resident Bob Fowler, who organized a letter-writing campaign in which condominium and homeowner associations told the state Public Utilities Commission they oppose the higher rate.
About 20 associations sent letters of opposition to the PUC, the agency that sets utility rates. In addition, nearly 50 residents appeared at a public hearing at Kaiser High School last summer.
"It will be interesting to see how this plays out," said Harry Blanchette, a single-family homeowner. "The company didn't really have a clear statement of what it would do with the extra revenue generated by the higher rates. I don't think it supported its case."
Hawai'i American Water Co. said it was disappointed with the consumer advocate's advisory recommendation and plans to press forward with its proposal. Over the next month or so, the company will provide documentation to support its position, said manager Lee Mansfield.
The sewer company provides service to about 10,000 customers in Hawai'i Kai and parts of Kuli'ou'ou. It proposed raising rates for a single-family home by $9.01 from $48.96 a month and by $7.21 a month from $38.77 a month for condominium homeowners.
The rates do not include water charges, which come on a separate bill from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply. The city, which provides sewer services for most of the rest of the island, charges an average family of four in a single-family home about $35.35 a month.
Hawai'i American Water said the higher rates are necessary to keep pace with the growing need to upgrade the 40-year-old sewer system. The last rate increase was in 1996.
A decision by the PUC is not expected until next year.
Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com or 395-8831.
