Trystan Casey
Hawaiian Electric Company, incorporated on 13 October 1891, has come a long way since its early beginnings with 2,500 customers on Oahu. By 1915, the company had been granted the right to supply power to the entire island, and today, it provides electricity to 95% of Hawaii's 1.4 million residents, which equates to around 472,536 customers as of 31 December 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total Customers | 472,536 (as of 31/12/2024) |
| Percentage of Total Population as Customers | 95% of 1.4 million residents |
| Renewable Energy Percentage | 36% (as of 2024) |
| Year Incorporated | 13 October 1891 |
| Number of Customers in 1914 | 2,500 |
| Year of First Power Plant Purchase | 1968 |
| Number of Power Plants Owned | 13 |
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What You'll Learn
Hawaiian Electric's history and milestones
Hawaiian Electric Company, Ltd was incorporated on 13 October 1891. Within 16 years, the company had 2,500 customers on Oahu. In 1914, Hawaiian Electric began providing electricity to rural areas on the windward side of the island, and by 1931, the company had 40,650 residential customers.
In 1937, Hawaiian Electric broke ground on its second power plant, and by 1938, the first unit at the Waiau Generating Station was online. During World War II, Hawaiian Electric's power plants supplied electricity to military bases, generating over one million kilowatt-hours of electricity daily. By 1959, when Hawaii became a state, Oahu was entirely electrified.
In 1964, Hawaiian Electric's stock was publicly traded for the first time, and in 1968, the company purchased Maui Electric Company. In 1970, Hawaiian Electric Industries was formed as a holding company for various utilities, and Hawaiian Electric became its subsidiary.
In 1985, Hawaiian Electric built the Makani Moae wind farm in Kahuku, and in 1995, the company won the Edison Award for promoting energy-efficient heat pump electrotechnology in Hawaii. In 1999, Hawaiian Electric introduced an e-bill service, allowing customers to manage their bills online.
Today, Hawaiian Electric provides electricity to 95% of Hawaii's 1.4 million residents on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii Island, serving a total of 472,536 customers as of 31 December 2024.
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The company's subsidiaries and acquisitions
Hawaiian Electric Company, Ltd. was incorporated on October 13, 1891. By 1915, the Hawaiian legislature granted the company the right to supply power to the entire island of Oahu. The company's history is marked by a series of notable milestones in the expansion of its services and infrastructure.
In 1983, Hawaiian Electric Industries was formed to diversify the company's business base, with Hawaiian Electric becoming its subsidiary. This was followed by the establishment of the Makani Moae wind farm in Kahuku by the HEI subsidiary Hawaiian Electric Renewable Systems (HERS) in 1985. The company's subsidiaries and acquisitions continued to expand with Maui Electric's acquisition of the Lanai City power plant in 1988 and the Molokai Electric Company in 1989.
In 1989, Hawaiian Electric contracted for the first time with three independent power producers: The Honolulu Program of Waste Energy Recovery (H-Power), Kalaeloa Partners L.P., and Applied Energy Services, Barbers Point, Inc. (AES). This marked a significant step in diversifying their energy sources and supply chains.
The company's commitment to clean and sustainable energy is further demonstrated by its Clean Energy Agreement with the state and Division of Consumer Advocacy. This agreement aligns with the goals of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, aiming for 70% of the state's electricity and ground transportation needs to be met by clean energy sources by 2030.
As of 2024, Hawaiian Electric provides electricity to 472,536 customers, which accounts for 95% of Hawaii's residents on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii Island. The company's total firm generating capability in 2023 was 1,614.5 megawatts, serving 306,978 customers.
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Customer service and support
Hawaiian Electric Company, Ltd. was incorporated on 13 October 1891. By 1914, the utility company had expanded its services to the windward side of Oahu and started marketing electric products like refrigerators and flat irons. In 1937, Hawaiian Electric Company (also known as HECO) broke ground on its second power plant, and soon transmission lines were crisscrossing Oahu.
Today, Hawaiian Electric and its subsidiaries provide electricity and services to 95% of the state's 1.4 million residents, which equates to around 472,536 customers as of 31 December 2024. The company services the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii Island.
Hawaiian Electric offers a comprehensive customer service experience through its one-stop resource center. Customers can easily access quick links to start or stop services, billing and payment inquiries, rate information, and frequently asked questions. The website also provides a secure and authenticated messaging service for registered customers, with a guaranteed response time of one business day.
The company has a strong commitment to safety and risk reduction for its customers and the wider community. This includes the creation of a PSPS program and a 2025-2027 Wildfire Safety Strategy to address the concerns raised after the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires, which left over 12,000 people without power.
Hawaiian Electric also actively supports the adoption of electric vehicles, with the goal of making EVs the majority of vehicles in Hawaii by 2045. The company has already made significant progress in this area, with EVs reaching 1% of all vehicles in the state by November 2018.
In addition to its focus on renewable energy and safety, Hawaiian Electric offers a range of payment assistance programs, including low-income programs, the Ohana Energy Gift Program, and support for those with special medical needs. The company also provides educational resources, such as customer newsletters and the online solar resource center, 'Going Solar', to help customers make informed choices about their energy use.
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Renewable energy and sustainability goals
Hawaiian Electric provides electricity to approximately 472,536 customers, which accounts for 95% of residents in the State of Hawaii across the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii Island. The company has demonstrated a strong commitment to renewable energy and sustainability, with a vision of empowering its customers and communities with affordable, reliable, and clean energy.
Hawaiian Electric has set ambitious goals for renewable energy and sustainability. Notably, the company aims to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2045, aligning with the state's goal. This includes significantly reducing carbon emissions by adding renewable generation to its island grids and retiring oil-fired power plants. By the target year, Hawaiian Electric plans to attain net-zero carbon emissions.
The company utilizes a diverse mix of renewable sources, such as waste-to-energy, biomass, geothermal, hydro, wind, biofuels, and solar. Both utility-scale and customer-sited rooftop solar systems are employed. In 2022, Hawaiian Electric made significant progress by adding more renewable generation to its grids. This included Clearway Energy's two solar and storage facilities on Oahu: Mililani I Solar and Waiawa Solar Power. Additionally, over 4,400 new private solar systems, primarily residential rooftops, were installed company-wide, with 91% of new rooftop solar installations including battery storage.
Hawaiian Electric released its 2022-23 Corporate Sustainability Report, titled "Building a Strong and Resilient Hawaii Together." The report outlines nearly a dozen utility-scale renewable energy projects scheduled for completion by 2025, reinforcing the company's dedication to its Climate Change Action Plan. This plan aims to reduce carbon emissions from power generation by up to 70% by 2030. Moreover, the company has ended its use of coal for power generation, marking a significant milestone in its Climate Change Action Plan. The retirement of the AES coal plant eliminated one of the state's largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
The company's Electrification of Transportation Strategic Roadmap further demonstrates its commitment to sustainability. This roadmap outlines plans to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels for transportation and electricity. By integrating new and evolving technologies, Hawaiian Electric aims to maximize the state's self-sufficiency and provide customers with stable and predictable pricing. The ability to produce clean energy from local and homegrown resources will positively impact the economy, environment, and communities, while also reducing oil-based dependency.
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Community impact and contributions
As one of the largest employers in the state of Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) has a significant impact on the community. The company provides electricity to 95% of the state's residents, serving a total of 472,536 customers as of December 31, 2024. With such a large customer base, the company's actions can have far-reaching effects on the community.
HECO has a long history in Hawaii, dating back to its incorporation in 1891. Over the years, the company has expanded its reach through acquisitions and mergers, including the purchase of Maui Electric Company in 1968 and the acquisition of Hilo Electric Light Company in 1970. This expansion has solidified HECO's presence in the community and made it a vital part of the state's infrastructure.
The company has also been recognised for its contributions to the community and its support for educational programs. In 1995, HECO won the Edison Award, the electric utility industry's highest honour, for its promotion of energy-efficient heat pump electro-technology in Hawaii. The company has also been honoured for its adoption of solar energy, with the Solar Electric Power Association recognising its efforts in 2012.
In addition to its core business of providing electricity, HECO has also demonstrated a commitment to the community by supporting renewable energy initiatives and clean energy goals. The company has pledged to support the state's goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2045 and has taken steps to increase the adoption of electric vehicles. By 2018, HECO had already achieved a significant milestone, with 15% of its residential and commercial electric customers utilising PV systems, which was nearly 20 times the national average.
However, HECO has also faced challenges that have impacted the community. In 2019, the company faced scrutiny after devastating wildfires on Maui, which resulted in a class-action lawsuit. Despite this setback, HECO has continued to work towards improving its operations and contributing to the community's well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
Hawaiian Electric Company provides electricity to 472,536 customers as of 31 December 2024. This number represents 95% of the state's 1.4 million residents.
In 2023, the company served 306,978 customers.
In 2022, the company served 73,933 customers with firm power and 88,757 customers with total power.
Hawaiian Electric Industries supplies the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii Island. The island of Kauai is the only Hawaiian island not supplied by HEI.
