Hawaii Governor

This ten-year strategic plan and framework aims to end homelessness in Hawaii by implementing and sustaining a housing-focused system. The plan is structured around five key focus areas: Building System Capacity and Strengthening Core Competencies, Strengthening System Leadership and Stakeholder Alignment, Investing in Organizational Supports and Infrastructure, Sustaining and Scaling Housing-Focused Approaches, and Diversion and Prevention to Address Households at Imminent Risk of Homelessness. It sets goals for specific populations including veterans, chronically homeless individuals, families with minor children, and unaccompanied youth, with the vision of making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring, and increasing housing inventory.

The technical conference focused on the Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) program implementation, specifically addressing Levels Two and Three. Key discussions included the proposed system architecture heavily relying on the K2 Citadel platform for IEEE 2030.5 communication with DER devices. The presentation outlined three potential 2030.5 pathways (dispatch agent, direct device, or via an i235 Gateway) and one API pathway. Specific attention was given to the CCIP (Common Smart Inverter Profile) subset of 2030.5, including security elements like PKI. Challenges identified include the unreliability of customer Wi-Fi, outstanding questions regarding who pays for cellular connections and PKI maintenance, and limitations in the 2030.5 protocol's telemetry, which restricts the collection of advanced metrics necessary for planning. The operation of a scheduled event involves 24-hour advance notification sent through the K2 Citadel hub, with anticipated durations of one hour for Level Two and two hours for Level Three events, noting the absence of automatic frequency response.

The status conference convened to discuss interconnection-related issues for the Kapolei BESS Project (2020-0136) with Hawaii Electric and KES. Key discussion points centered on the procedural schedule and timelines for completing interconnection studies and filing the Interconnection Request (IR) amendment. Hawaii Electric sought to file overhead line applications in advance of the final IR amendment completion to expedite the critical path item for KES financing, utilizing early engineering and preliminary facility study data. The parties confirmed agreement on the final facility study and noted that System Impact Study results have been provided, moving into the IR amendment drafting phase. There was discussion regarding the proposed expedited timeline for the IR amendment filing (14 days instead of the typical 60-75 days). Commissioner Potter expressed strong concern regarding proceeding without final study results due to past issues with prior IR amendments. The possibility of rolling commissioning of the BESS system, similar to past wind farm projects, was discussed as a method to potentially identify and fix issues earlier, which both HECO and KES supported given the battery delivery schedule is the binding constraint. The commission urged all parties to provide information incrementally and as soon as possible to aid decision-making.

The public hearing was convened to take testimony regarding the application by Launiupoko Irrigation Co., LCC (referred to as LĀʻaupoko or the applicant) for a temporary rate increase to user charges and standby charges (Docket No. 2020-0089). The applicant argued that a rate increase is urgently needed due to operating at a loss since 2019, stemming from a commission limitation on using stream water for non-potable irrigation, which necessitated costly substitute water sources and increased operating/capital costs. The applicant highlighted that current rates were established in 2003 and that without the temporary increase, continuous service cannot be guaranteed. The Consumer Advocate stated their role is to evaluate the request based on discovery and analysis, acknowledging the applicant's demonstrated financial need. Intervenors opposed the rate increase, citing potential violations of fundamental and constitutional rights concerning traditional and customary practices, the existence of an interim agreement guaranteeing water delivery at no charge to certain parties, and a concern that development costs are improperly merged with utility costs. Testifiers were given time limits to present their position on the proposed rate adjustments.

This stakeholder meeting initiated the investigation into electricity Wheeling under Docket No. 2024-0200, initially focusing on intergovernmental Wheeling following legislative measures. Key agenda items included reviewing the docket goals, which prioritize determining if Wheeling is in the public interest to accelerate renewable energy adoption. A presentation was given by Hawaiian Electric detailing concepts for intergovernmental Wheeling, covering how it works, potential benefits such as customer choice and resource unlocking, and associated challenges related to safety, reliability, economics, and equity. The discussion also touched upon necessary administrative and technical considerations, including interconnection studies and the concept of locational pricing components, emphasizing the need for a simple, fair framework.