Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 9, 1 Kepakemapa 2008 — Molokaʻi fees increase [ARTICLE]

Molokaʻi fees increase

In another fallout of the shutdown of Moloka'i Ranch, about 1,200 residents in West Moloka'i will see their water and sewer bills double, and in some cases triple, under a plan approved by the Puhlie Utilities Conunission. The rate increases will be in effect for at least six months starting Sept. 1. Moloka'i Puhlie Utilities Ine. will increase its rates to $6.04 from $3.18 per 1,000 gallons. And Waiola o Moloka'i Ine. has received the OK to increase its rates to $5.15 from $1.85 per 1,000 gallons. The commission denied a rate-increase request from Mosco Ine., a sewer utility serving Kaluako'i. The PUC on lune 30 also approved a temporary fuel surcharge for the Sea Link of Hawai'i ferry between Moloka'i and Maui. Fares increased to $68.40 from $42.40 on Aug. 15. Puhlie hearings in Maui and Moloka'i were scheduled for late August to discuss making the surcharge permanent, whieh will not affect Moloka'i workers who receive fare subsidies from Maui hotels. Citing rising fuel costs, Sea Link said continuing operations depend upon the addition of the surcharge. The increases eome as the island has suffered layoffs following the Apiil pullout of the ranch, also known as Moloka'i Properties Ltd. The ranch attributed its closure to the public's rejection of its plan to develop luxury homes at Lā'au Point.