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ElectricityRatePerKWh

Electricity Rate in Hawaii (2026): 52.00c/kWh Average

The EIA residential electricity price in Hawaii is 52.00 cents per kWh as of May 2026, 33.56c above the US average of 18.44c/kWh. The Hawaii commercial rate is 46.19c/kWh and the industrial rate is 41.90c/kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A).

Residential Rate
52.00¢
per kWh
vs US Avg
+182%
33.56c above
Avg Monthly Bill
$207
509 kWh
Provider Choice
No
Regulated monopoly

Hawaii Electricity Rate: What You Need to Know

Hawaii electricity averages 52.00 cents per kWh for residential customers as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly. This is 33.56c above the US average of 18.44c/kWh. The average monthly bill for Hawaii households is $207 based on typical usage of 509 kWh.

Hawaii's 52c/kWh rate (May 2026) is the highest in the US by a wide margin - 2.8 times the national average. Every Hawaiian island operates as a completely isolated grid with no interconnection to any other island or to the mainland. HECO (Hawaiian Electric) subsidiaries on each island (Hawaiian Electric on Oahu, Maui Electric on Maui, Lanai Customer Service on Lanai) generate most of their electricity from imported petroleum - oil tankers making a 2,500-mile Pacific crossing add $0.15-$0.25/kWh in logistics costs to every kilowatt generated. Hawaii's 2026 rate case approved additional cost recovery for grid modernization, including the transition to renewable generation (HECO targets 100% renewable by 2045). Solar is the most cost-effective energy move for Hawaii homeowners: at 52c/kWh, a $25,000 solar system pays back in 6 years even without the federal ITC (which expired December 2025).

Generation mix: Petroleum 80%, solar 15%, wind 5%. The fuel mix is a primary driver of electricity rates - states with abundant hydro or nuclear tend to have lower rates, while states dependent on imported petroleum (Hawaii) or natural gas pay more.

Year-over-year change: Hawaii rates rose 26.7% year-over-year as of May 2026. This compares to the US average increase of 6.2% over the same period.

Regulated: You Cannot Switch Electricity Suppliers

HECO (Hawaiian Electric) operates as the regulated utility in Hawaii. Retail electricity choice is not available for residential customers. Options for reducing your bill include: time-of-use rate optimization, energy efficiency upgrades, and rooftop solar.

Your Hawaii Electricity Bill Components

Energy charge (509 kWh x 52.00c)$264.68
Fixed customer charge (estimated)~$10.00
Estimated monthly total$274.68
Hawaii Rate by Sector - May 2026
Residential (US 18.44c)52.00c
Commercial (US 13.54c)46.19c
Industrial (US 8.71c)41.90c
Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A.
Dominant Utility
HECO (Hawaiian Electric)
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Hawaii Electricity: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the electricity rate in Hawaii in 2026?+
The average residential electricity rate in Hawaii is 52.00 cents per kWh as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly. This is 33.56c above the US average of 18.44c/kWh (+182%). The average monthly electricity bill in Hawaii is approximately $207 based on 509 kWh typical monthly usage.
What is the commercial electricity rate in Hawaii?+
The average commercial electricity rate in Hawaii is 46.19 cents per kWh as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly (Table 5.6.A). That compares with the US commercial average of 13.54c/kWh. Commercial rates apply to businesses, offices, schools, and retail. They are usually lower per kWh than residential rates, but a commercial bill can still be much larger because of higher volume and demand charges.
What is the industrial electricity rate in Hawaii?+
The average industrial electricity rate in Hawaii is 41.90 cents per kWh as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly (Table 5.6.A), versus a US industrial average of 8.71c/kWh. Industrial customers such as factories, manufacturers, and large facilities pay the lowest per-kWh price of the three EIA sectors because they buy power at high volume, often at higher voltage, under demand-based rate structures.
Can I switch electricity providers in Hawaii?+
No - Hawaii operates a regulated electricity market. HECO (Hawaiian Electric) serves as the regulated monopoly utility. Customers cannot switch electricity generation suppliers. Options for reducing bills include time-of-use rate optimization (where available), energy efficiency upgrades, and solar installation.
What is the average monthly electricity bill in Hawaii?+
The average Hawaii household uses approximately 509 kWh per month. At 52.00c/kWh plus approximately $10 in fixed charges, the average monthly bill is $207. This varies by season (higher in summer for cooling-dominant states like Florida, higher in winter for heating-dominant states).
What is the primary electricity source in Hawaii?+
Hawaii's generation mix is primarily Petroleum 80%, solar 15%, wind 5%. This fuel mix is a key factor in the state's electricity rate - states relying on hydro or nuclear typically have lower rates, while states heavily dependent on natural gas or petroleum (like Hawaii) face higher costs.
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