NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

The STATE OF HAWAII PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION ("Commission"), HEREBY GIVES NOTICE that it will hold a public meeting relating to the Application of YOUNG BROTHERS, LLC (“Young Brothers”), filed on September 25, 2019, for approval of a general rate increase and certain tariff changes:

The Commission will hold the public meeting as follows:
Thursday, December 12, 2019, 5:00 p.m.
Lanai Senior Center
309 Seventh Street
Lana’i City, Lana’i, Hawaii 96763

The Commission will investigate whether the proposed revenue increases, changes in rate schedules and rules, and other matters proposed in Young Brothers’ Application are just and reasonable.
Young Brothers is a water carrier authorized to transport property by barge between the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Young Brothers seeks approval of a rate increase of $26,997,928, which represents a 34.27% increase over intrastate revenues at currently effective rates, which is projected to be $78,783,326 (which incorporates a requested return on equity of 10.70%) for the 2020 test year.
In the Application, Young Brothers states that the “purpose for the requested increase is to sustain Young Brothers’ financial viability to ensure the provision of safe, adequate, economical, and efficient service at reasonable rates in conformance with the Hawaii Water Carrier Act” and is “based on the following main drivers: (1) increased rate base; (2) increased operating expenses; (3) continuing decline in intrastate cargo volume; and (4) an increase in the proposed cost of capital.”
At the public meeting, the Commission will receive in-person testimony from the general public regarding the Application and the proposed rate increase and revised rate schedules and rules.
The purpose of this public meeting is to listen to the views expressed by the general public. All interested persons are invited to attend the public meeting to state their views on the Application, orally, in writing, or both. So that all in attendance will have the opportunity to speak at the public meeting, the Commission may impose time limits for each person’s testimony.
The foregoing is a summary of the proposals in Young Brothers’ Application. Copies of Young Brothers’ Application are available for public review through the Commission’s electronic Document Management System, accessible at http://dms.puc.hawaii.gov/dms/. In addition, copies of Young Brothers’ Application are also available for review by contacting Young Brothers’ Legal Counsel, Watanabe Ing, LLP [(808) 544-8300], the Commission’s Honolulu Office [(808) 586-2020], or the Division of Consumer Advocacy [(808) 586-2800].
Additionally, written comments may be mailed to the Public Utilities Commission, 465 South King Street, Room No. 103, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813, or sent by electronic mail to Hawaii.PUC@hawali.gov. All written comments should reference Docket No. 2019-0117. Special accommodations for persons with disabilities can be made if requested reasonably in advance by contacting the Commission’s Honolulu Office.

______________________________
James P. Griffin
Chair
(SA1246538 11/21, 11/28, 12/5, 12/11/19)