Hawaii Revised Statutes

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 269-51 (2026)

  Consumer advocate; executive director of the division of consumer advocacy

✓ current as of July 2026
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[PART II.]  CONSUMER ADVOCATE

 

     §269-51  Consumer advocate; executive director of the division of consumer advocacy.  [(a)]  The executive director of the division of consumer advocacy shall be the consumer advocate in hearings before the public utilities commission.  The consumer advocate shall represent, protect, and advance the interests of all consumers, including small businesses, of utility services.

     [(b)]  The responsibility of the consumer advocate for advocating the interests of the consumer of utility services shall be separate and distinct from the responsibilities of the public utilities commission and those assistants employed by the commission.  The consumer advocate shall have full rights to participate as a party in interest in all proceedings before the public utilities commission. [L 1976, c 124, pt of §1; am L 1982, c 204, §6; am L 1986, c 52, §1; am L 2014, c 108, §8]

 

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1978–2022 · leading case: In re Application of Hawai'i Elec. Light Co., Inc., 445 P.3d 673 (Haw. 2019).
In re Application of Hawai'i Elec. Light Co., Inc., 445 P.3d 673 (Haw. 2019). · cites it 3× “HRS § 269-51 provides: The executive director of the division of consumer advocacy shall be the consumer advocate in hearings before the public utilities commission.”
In Re Kauai Elec. Div. of Citizens Utils. Co., 590 P.2d 524 (Haw. 1978). · cites it 2× “We note that should the rate schedules as approved by the Commission in its final order become unjust and unreasonable in the future, the appellant will have recourse to complain to the Commission pursuant to HRS §§ 259-7 and 15.”
Application of Hawaiian Tel. Co., 689 P.2d 741 (Haw. 1984). · cites it 2× “8 HRS § 269-51 provides: Consumer advocate; director of commerce and consumer affairs.”
Application of Kaanapali Water Corp., 678 P.2d 584 (Haw. App. 1984). “The Consumer Advocate is a party to these proceedings by virtue of Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) § 269-51 (1976, as amended). By separate orders dated September 11,1981, the Commission allowed the intervention of Kaanapali Property Owners’ Association and Kyo-ya Company, Ltd.”
In Re Pub. Utils. Comm'n, 257 P.3d 223 (Haw. App. 2011). · cites it 3× “Pursuant to HRS § 269-51 (2007) and Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) § 6-61-62 (1992), the Consumer Advocate represents the consumer and may participate as an ex officio party in Commission proceedings.”
In re Molokai Pub. Utils., Inc., 277 P.3d 328 (Haw. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “County contends PUC erred in relying on the settlement agreement between the Consumer Advocate and MPU because the Consumer Advocate breached its responsibilities to the consumers.”
In re: Maui Elec. Co., Ltd.. (Haw. 2022). · cites it 4× “5 The CA participated as an ex officio party per HRS § 269-51 and Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) § 16-601-62(a).”
In re Hawaiian Elec. Co., 698 P.2d 304 (Haw. App. 1985). · cites it 2× “See HRS § 269-51 (Supp. 1984). The CA was required by the Hawaii Supreme Court to file a position brief in this case, and sides with HECO on this appeal.”
In re The Application Of The Gas Co., LLC dba Hawaii Gas For Approval Of Rate Increases & Revised Rate Schedules & Rules. (Haw. 2020). · cites it 2× “The only other party to this proceeding was the Consumer Advocate, an ex officio party pursuant to HRS § 269-51 (2007 & Supp.”
In re: The Application of Hawaiian Elec. Co., Inc., 149 Haw. 343 (Haw. 2021). · cites it 2× “The PUC concluded it was without jurisdiction 1 The Consumer Advocate was an ex officio party to these proceedings pursuant to HRS § 269-51 (2007 & Supp. 2014) (“The executive director of the division of consumer advocacy shall be the consumer advocate in hearings before the…”
— Haw. Rev. Stat. § 269-51(a) — 1 case
In re: Maui Elec. Co., Ltd.. (Haw. 2022). “5 The CA participated as an ex officio party per HRS § 269-51 and Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) § 16-601-62(a).”
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