The May 31 deadline for power shut-offs is quickly approaching, and Hawaiian Electric is reminding customers to contact the company to work out an interest-free payment plan to avoid disconnection.
Customers who have not made payment plans by the May 31 deadline could experience disconnection at the end of the moratorium, even if they are still struggling to recover financially from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Hawaiian Electric understands that customers may be experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 and is offering the following interest-free monthly installment plans for a limited time. For all options, late fees are waived," Hawaiian Electric said on its website.
The company payments plan span anywhere from four-month equal installment payments, to 18 months and a deferment program.
“Keeping customers connected is a top priority for Hawaiian Electric," the company said as reported by Hawaii News Now. "Residential and smaller commercial customers behind on payments who do not make contact with Hawaiian Electric may have their balance automatically enrolled in a 12-month payment plan starting in July to avoid disconnection. Those customers will receive a notice with their bill when the payment plan starts that explains how the arrangement works.”
A Hawaii County webpage said that although disconnection may not happen immediately once the moratorium is up, customers may have their bills go into collections along with service disconnection at a later date.
"While the moratorium's end will not trigger immediate disconnections, customers who have set up payment arrangement are not subject to Hawaiian Electric's disconnection process and late fees are waived while on a payment plan. Requesting a payment arrangement is easy, and a new 18-month plan is now available for residential customers," the site said. "If a customer does not pay the amount due while on a payment plan, it may trigger collection activity and service may be disconnected. Contact Hawaiian Electric right away for assistance or to make an adjustment to the payment arrangement."
In another Hawaiian Electric release, Senior Vice President of Customer Service Shelle Kimura said the goal is to keep everyone connected, and the company is more than willing to work with any and all customers to get them through this difficult time.
Customers can visit hawaiianelectric.com/paymentarrangement to see options and submit a request.