Hawaiian Electric to Issue $2M in Kokua Fund

Hawaiian Electric News Release

Hawaiian Electric will apply $2 million in bill credits for customers who have struggled to pay their electric bill during the COVID-19 pandemic on Molokai and other islands. The Kokua Fund Bill Credit Program will automatically provide a one-time credit of $90 to past-due balances for about 22,000 residential and business customers by Jan. 31. 

“Our priority during the pandemic has been to keep customers connected,” said Hawaiian Electric President and CEO Shelee Kimura. “Many people have been affected by the pandemic and we have designed this program to reach as many as we can, especially those for whom this credit will be the most meaningful. No application is necessary, as we envisioned a quick, simple way to provide some relief for qualified customers in the new year.” 

The credits will be automatically applied to past-due balances for about 22,000 active residential and business accounts that were at least 30 days past due as of Dec. 31, 2021, with a minimum current past-due balance of at least $200. For accounts that meet these criteria, the credit will appear as a line item labeled “Kokua Fund Credit” and will be posted by Jan. 31. It will appear on statements that arrive in February and will also be available immediately online through the Online Customer Service Center.  Eligible customers for the one-time credit will receive notification of their eligibility. 

The Kokua Fund bill credit uses funds from company shareholders – not other customers – to help Hawaiian Electric residential and business customers on Oahu, Hawaii Island and in Maui County with qualifying balances. Not every customer will qualify for the credits, which are meant to supplement other pandemic-related financial assistance programs. For more information, go to hawaiianelectric.com/kokuafund. 

To learn more about available assistance administered by government agencies or nonprofits, go to hawaiianelectric.com/COVID19. 

This is the second program Hawaiian Electric has funded to help utility customers who were financially affected by the pandemic. Hawaiian Electric was the founding sponsor of Aloha United Way’s Hawaii Utility Bill Assistance Program in 2021, pledging $2 million in shareholder money from its parent company, HEI, to help households pay electric, water, sewer and gas bills. 

Hawaiian Electric continues to offer special payment arrangement options for past-due customers. Customers may go to hawaiianelectric.com/paymentarrangement for more information. 

For assistance managing energy costs, Hawaii Energy is a trusted resource for energy saving tips. Hawaii Energy programs include Energy Smart for Homes and opportunities to save money with rebates on energy-saving equipment. Visit hawaiienergy.com for information.