Data centers in Hawaii

📜 State laws

State working group on large data centers (HCR 206, 2026) · April 27, 2026
The Legislature passed House Concurrent Resolution 206 in April 2026. It asks the Hawaii State Energy Office to bring together a working group to study how large data centers (those needing 5 megawatts or more of power) could affect electric companies, people's power bills, water and other natural resources, and climate goals. Members include the state's chief energy officer (chair), the economic development director, the land and natural resources chair, the Public Utilities Commission chair, plus utilities, consumer and environmental groups. It will look at ways to make data center builders pay the full cost of new power plants and lines, protect homes and small businesses from higher bills, require reports on power, water and carbon use, and make sure data centers run on clean energy. The report is due 20 days before the 2027 session starts; the group ends June 30, 2027. Civil Beat reported the group first met in September 2026. A resolution is a request, not a law: it does not set any rules by itself. Source

No state data center law yet · Oct 8, 2026
Hawaii has no state law with special rules for data centers (no power-bill rules, water rules or siting rules just for them). The 2026 resolutions say Hawaii has not received any proposal for a large 'hyperscale' data center. The state's chief energy officer told Civil Beat that big developers are unlikely to come soon because of limited internet capacity and costly power. Any new rules would likely come after the working group reports to the 2027 Legislature. Source

Utilities must reach 100% renewable power by 2045 (HRS 269-92) · Oct 8, 2026
State law requires each electric utility to make 40% of its power from renewable sources by the end of 2030, 70% by 2040, and 100% by 2045. Any large new power user, like a data center, would have to fit inside these goals. The data center working group was asked to look at how data centers could be powered by renewable energy without hurting these goals. Source

💡 Who pays for the power

No special power rate for data centers · Oct 8, 2026
We found no Public Utilities Commission (PUC) rule or rate written just for data centers or other very large new power users in Hawaii. HCR 206 warns that without safeguards, the cost of new power plants and lines could fall on homes and small businesses instead of data center builders, and asks the working group to suggest ways to prevent that. Hawaii's island grids are separate, so one large new user could matter more here than on the mainland. Source

Hawaiian Electric asks for higher rates (Docket 2026-0162) · Aug 31, 2026
Hawaiian Electric (serving Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai and Lanai) asked the PUC for about $170 million more a year, a 5.3% increase: $125 million in 2027 and $45 million more in 2028. The company says it needs it for inflation, insurance and faster write-off of fossil fuel power plants. For a typical home, that is about $8 to $12 more a month in 2027 and $2 to $3 more in 2028. If approved, base rates would stay mostly fixed until 2032, with an inflation adjustment from 2027 to 2031. No decision has been made. This request is not about data centers. You can send written comments to the PUC under Docket No. 2026-0162. Source

💵 Tax breaks

No state tax break just for data centers · Oct 8, 2026
Hawaii has no sales tax; it has a general excise tax (GET) on business income. We checked every section of the GET law (HRS chapter 237) and found no exemption for data centers. Counties set property taxes. Source

Enterprise Zones can cut taxes for some businesses · Oct 8, 2026
The state Enterprise Zone program gives eligible businesses in chosen zones up to 7 years of tax breaks: no GET on eligible income, an income tax credit starting at 80% and falling to 20%, and a credit on unemployment insurance costs. Businesses must keep or add full-time workers. Eligible types include telecommunications switching and 'information technology design and production'. The state page does not say whether a data center would qualify. Each county can pick up to six zones, approved by the Governor. Source

🤐 Secret deals and public records

Public records law (UIPA): anyone can ask · Oct 8, 2026
Under Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act (HRS chapter 92F), all government records are open unless a law closes them, and any person can ask for them. You do not have to live in Hawaii or say why. Send a written request to the agency that has the record (for example the county planning department or the PUC). The agency has 10 business days to answer, and can take about 10 more if it sends a written notice. If it asks you to clarify or prepay, you must reply within 20 business days. OIP has a free form, 'Request to Access a Government Record'. If you are denied or get no answer, you can ask the Office of Information Practices (OIP) for help for free, or go to court within two years. Source

Secret deals (NDAs) and business secrets · Oct 8, 2026
Hawaii has no law that bans or requires secret deals (NDAs) between governments and data center companies. Agencies may hold back records whose release would 'frustrate a legitimate government function' (HRS 92F-13). No Hawaii data center NDA has been reported. Source

💧 Water

Who approves big water use · Oct 8, 2026
The state Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) protects and regulates fresh water. In 'water management areas' (such as the Lahaina Aquifer Sector on Maui), anyone who wants to use ground or stream water needs a CWRM water use permit, with public notice. CWRM also sets well building and pump standards and gives stream diversion permits. The Hawaii Constitution (Article XI, section 7) makes the state protect water for the people. Source

🌫️ Air and generators

Who approves diesel generators and power plants · Oct 8, 2026
The Hawaii Department of Health, Clean Air Branch, issues air permits for sources of air pollution, such as large diesel backup generators and power plants ('covered source' and 'noncovered source' permits). It posts public notices for permits on its website. A new power plant also needs an environmental assessment under Hawaii's environmental review law (HRS 343-5). Source

🙋 How to have your say

Who decides a data center near you · Oct 8, 2026
Hawaii has no city, town or township governments. The four counties (City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii County, Maui County, Kauai County) zone all land through their county councils and planning commissions (HRS 46-4). On top of that, the state Land Use Commission (LUC) puts all land into four districts: urban, rural, agricultural and conservation. Changing more than 15 acres out of the agricultural or rural district goes to the LUC; smaller changes are decided by the county. In agricultural or rural land, the county planning commission can give a 'special permit' for an unusual use; if the land is over 15 acres, the LUC must also approve it (HRS 205-6). Near the shore, a county 'special management area' (SMA) permit is needed. The PUC decides power rates. Source

How to speak at a hearing · Oct 8, 2026
Under Hawaii's Sunshine Law (HRS 92-3), county councils, planning commissions and state boards must let anyone send written testimony and speak on any item on the agenda. Agendas must be posted at least six days before the meeting. Check your county council and planning commission websites for agendas and how to send testimony. Source

Appealing a decision · Oct 8, 2026
If the planning commission or LUC denies a special permit, the applicant can appeal to circuit court (HRS 205-6). After a formal 'contested case' hearing, anyone harmed by the final decision can ask the circuit court (or environmental court) to review it within 30 days of being served the decision (HRS 91-14). Ask the county planning department about deadlines. Source

Environmental review (HRS chapter 343) · Oct 8, 2026
An environmental assessment is required for projects that use state or county land or money, are in the conservation district, the shoreline area, a historic site, or Waikiki, change a county general plan, or include a power-generating facility. Source

How to comment to the Public Utilities Commission · Oct 8, 2026
Anyone can send written comments to the PUC on a case. Use the case number (docket), for example 2026-0162 for the Hawaiian Electric rate request. Comments can be sent through the PUC website. The PUC also holds public hearings on each island for big rate cases. Source

Hawaii County is weighing a data center ban (Bill 170) · Oct 2026
Hawaii County Bill 170 would ban large data centers on Hawaii Island, unless they get a special use permit. In 2026 the County Council sent it to the planning commissions; the Windward commission recommended against it on Oct. 1, 2026, mainly because the definition is unclear. The Leeward commission hears it on Oct. 15, 2026. The County Council makes the final decision. No other county has proposed data center rules. Source

🧾 Help with your bills

Energy bill help (H-HEAP, Hawaii's LIHEAP) · June 1, 2026
The Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP), run by the state Department of Human Services, gives lower-income households a one-time credit on their electric or gas bill. Energy Credit applications are taken only in June each year (June 1-30 in 2026). Energy Crisis Intervention (ECI) helps if your power is about to be or has been shut off; it is open all year, but only a limited number are approved each month. Household income must be below 150% of the federal poverty level, or someone in the home gets TANF, SNAP or SSI. Apply through Honolulu Community Action Program (hcapweb.org, Oahu, in person), Maui Economic Opportunity (meoinc.org) or Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council (hceoc.net). On Kauai, Kauai Economic Opportunity is listed in the 2026 application packet. Source

📞 Who to contact

Hawaii State Energy Office · Oct 8, 2026
Leads the state working group on large data centers (HCR 206); state energy policy. Source

Public Utilities Commission (PUC) · Oct 8, 2026
Regulates electric utilities (Hawaiian Electric and the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative), sets power rates, takes public comments by docket number. Source

State Land Use Commission (LUC) · Oct 8, 2026
Decides changes to state land use districts over 15 acres and approves large special permits on farm land. Source

Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) · Oct 8, 2026
Regulates fresh water use, wells and stream diversions; water use permits in water management areas. Source

Department of Health, Clean Air Branch · Oct 8, 2026
Air permits for power plants and large generators. Source

Office of Information Practices (OIP) · Oct 8, 2026
Free help with public records requests and denials; runs the Sunshine Law. Source

DBEDT Enterprise Zone program · Oct 8, 2026
Runs the Enterprise Zone tax break program with the counties. Source