More than 100 people attended the recent 24th annual Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative Membership Meeting to learn about the cooperative’s 2025 financial performance, status of existing and future projects as well as progress on strategic goals.
Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative President and Chief Executive Officer David Bissell, Chief Financial Officer Erin Tsuda, board members and numerous staff members greeted the crowd at Kaua‘i Philippine Cultura Center.
It was noted during the presentation that the cooperative since May 2022 posted either the lowest or among the lowest residential electricity rates in Hawaiʻi. Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative reported at the end of 2025 a net margin of $6.9 million and healthy equity ratio of 37.58%.
The cooperative’s board of directors voted to retire $2.7 million in patronage capital back to members for margins earned in 2002, along with portions of 2003 and 2025, because of last years’ strong financial performance.
Kaua‘i reported 52.8% renewable generation for 2025, well ahead of state-mandated benchmarks, with a renewable portfolio that includes utility-scale and rooftop solar, hydropower and biomass.
Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative also has two additional solar + battery storage projects in development, which are expected to be operational in late 2029. The AES Kaawanui Solar + Storage and AES Mānā Solar + Storage projects are expected to increase renewable generation to near 90% and save members $13.4 million during their first year of operation.
Other topics covered during the annual membership meeting included:
- An update about four projects, including battery storage upgrades at three solar sites, a synchronous condenser generator conversion to provide grid stability and wildfire safety improvements.
- Progress achieved on the cooperative’s wildfire mitigation plan, along with an update about an application to establish a wildfire cost recovery mechanism.
- Status of the second draft habitation conservation plan, with the potential to obtain a federal permit in early 2027.
- Information about energy efficiency programs, appliance rebates and community support activities.
Attendees received a copy of Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative’s 2025 Annual Report and, per tradition, received a complimentary bowl of chili and a bag of rice. Almost 760 pounds of rice were donated following the meeting to Hawaiʻi Food Bank-Kauaʻi and Kauaʻi Independent Food Bank.
The full annual meeting presentation can be found here. The 2025 annual report “Coming Full Circle” can be found on the Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative website.
