There is a robust residential population that lives in the five islands of Hawaii, namely the Big Island (Hawaii), Maui, Kauai, Oahu, and Molokai. If you are thinking of moving to any of these islands, one thing that you need to set-up is your utilities.
You’ll want to fix these as soon as you can because these are essential services that you need to make your daily life functional. You’ll have to set-up electricity, gas, water, internet, and trash pick-up before you make the big move, so you’re assured that you’ll have access to these services.
If you bought your own house, you would have to set this up on your own or ask your broker for some advice. If you’re renting, you must check your lease which utilities you are responsible for, or you can ask your landlord to be sure. Below is a guide on how you can set up these services when moving to one of the islands.
Setting Up The Big Island Utility Services
- Electric service: Hawaii Electric Light Company has offices in Hilo and Kona. You can check their addresses and phone numbers on their website. To start the service, you need an Online Customer Account.
- Water service:
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- Board of Water Supply (BWS) – To start service, you can access their request forms on their website or call Customer Service at (808) 748-5030 for assistance.
- Department of Water Supply, County of Hawai’i – They have offices you can visit in Hilo, Waimea, Kona, and Kaʻū. Each office location has a different customer service number. You can check these on their website, or you may reach them through email at dws@hawaiidws.org.
- Hawaii Water Service – To request a new service, you may contact the Hawaii Water Customer Center, which depends on your district information. Make sure you prepare the needed information beforehand.
- American Water, Hawai’i – You need to register an account to have water service turned on, or you can call (888) 237-1333.
- Gas service:
- Hawaii Gas – To set up your account, fill in their request form, then call their customer care office at (808) 535-5933 for verification.
- AmeriGas – For propane services in The Big Island, you may visit their office at 74-589 Honokouhua St. in Kailua Kona or call them at (808) 326-1803.
- Internet/Cable service: Below are the top providers in The Big Island
- Cable – DISH, DIRECTV
- Internet – Viasat, Sandwich Isles
- Cable/Internet – Spectrum, Hawaiian Telcom
- Trash pick-up/recycling service: The County of Hawai’i Department of Environmental Management Solid Waste Division Public Facilities offer two landfills and 22 recycling & transfer stations, but does not provide trash collection services. However, there are a few options:
- PFI Rubbish Service – You can call their office at (808) 329-3440 or submit the online form and wait for them to call/email you back.
- Eastside Rubbish & Recycling – You can contact them at (808) 640-2724 or visit their website. They offer free rubbish service for the first month.
Setting Up Maui Utility Services
- Electric service: Maui Electric accepts walk-in applicants in their office at 210 W Kamehameha Avenue in Kahului. You can also call their customer service hotline for Maui at (808) 871-9777. To start the service, you need an Online Customer Account.
- Water service:
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- Department of Water Supply, County of Maui – You can submit a Request for Service (RFS) form on their website and wait for them to contact you.
- Hawaii Water Service – To request a new service, you may contact the Hawaii Water Customer Center, which depends on your district information. Make sure you prepare the needed information beforehand.
- Board of Water Supply (BWS) – To start service, you can access their request forms on their website or call Customer Service at (808) 748-5030 for assistance.
- Gas service:
- Hawaii Gas – To set up your account, fill in their request form, then call their customer care office at (808) 535-5933 for verification.
- AmeriGas – For propane services in Maui, you may visit their office at 1644 Mill St. in Wailuku or call them at (808) 244-2022.
- Internet/Cable service: Below are the top providers in Maui
- Cable – DISH, DIRECTV
- Internet – Viasat, Sky Fiber, HughesNet
- Cable/Internet – Spectrum, Hawaiian Telcom
- Trash pick-up/recycling service:
- Department of Environmental Management, County of Maui – To open a Residential Solid Waste account, submit fee payment and the completed Residential Solid Waste Services Application to Solid Waste Office, One Main Plaza, 2200 Main St. Ste 200.
- Maui Disposal – You may visit their office at 280 Imi Kala Street in Wailuku or call (808) 242-7999. You can also email them at sales@mauiwaste.com.
Setting Up O’ahu Utility Services
- Electric service: Hawaiian Electric accepts walk-in applicants in their office at 1001 Bishop St. in Honolulu. You can also call their customer service hotline for Oahu at (808) 548-7311. To start the service, you need an Online Customer Account.
- Water service:
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- Board of Water Supply (BWS) – To start service, you can access their request forms on their website or call Customer Service at (808) 748-5030 for assistance.
- American Water, Hawai’i – You need to register an account to have water service turned on, or you can call (888) 237-1333.
- Gas service:
- Hawaii Gas – To set up your account, fill in their request form, then call their customer care office at (808) 535-5933 for verification.
- AmeriGas – For propane services in Oahu, you may visit their office at 91-290 Hanua St. in Kapolei or call them at (808) 682-5796.
- Internet/Cable service: Below are the top providers in Oahu
- Cable – DISH, DIRECTV
- Internet – Viasat, Sandwich Isles, HughesNet
- Cable/Internet – Spectrum, Hawaiian Telcom
- Trash pick-up/recycling service: The City & County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services provides collection service twice per week. You can check the schedules and other details on their website.
Setting Up Kaua’i Utility Services
- Electric service: To apply for electrical service in Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative, you need to accomplish needed requirements, and the Service Application Form found on their website. You may also call them at (808) 246-4300.
- Water service:
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- Department of Water, County of Kauai – You need to complete the Application for Water Service form or call (808) 245-5442.
- Board of Water Supply (BWS) – To start service, you can access their request forms on their website or call Customer Service at (808) 748-5030 for assistance.
- Gas service:
- Hawaii Gas – To set up your account, fill in their request form, then call their customer care office at (808) 535-5933 for verification.
- AmeriGas – For propane services in Kauai, you may visit their office at 4212 Hanahao Pl in Lihue or call them at (808) 632-2405.
- Internet/Cable service: Below are the top providers in Kauai
- Cable – DISH, DIRECTV
- Internet – Viasat, HughesNet
- Cable/Internet – Spectrum, Hawaiian Telcom
- Trash pick-up/recycling service:
- Solid Waste Division, County of Kaua’i – The County offers Pay As You Throw (PAYT) rates for refuse collection. The fee per month will reflect through the Real Property Tax bill. Service is once per week with different schedules depending on the street. You can visit their website for more details or call (808) 241-4091.
- Garden Isle Disposal – You can choose which container suits your needs or call them at (808) 245-2372.
Setting Up Moloka’i Utility Services
- Electric service: Maui Electric accepts walk-in applicants in their office at 210 W Kamehameha Avenue in Kahului. You can also call their customer service hotline for Molokai at (877) 871-8461. To start the service, you need an Online Customer Account.
- Water service: The County of Maui’s Department of Water Supply also provides water service in Molokai. You can submit a Request for Service (RFS) form on their website and wait for them to contact you.
- Gas service: To set up your account in Hawaii Gas, fill in their request form, then call their customer care office at (808) 535-5933 for verification.
- Internet/Cable service: Below are the top providers in Molokai
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- Cable – DISH, DIRECTV
- Internet – Sandwich Isles, Sky Fiber, Viasat, HughesNet
- Cable/Internet – Spectrum, Hawaiian Telcom
- Trash pick-up/recycling service: The County of Maui’s Department of Environmental Management also provides collection services in Molokai. You can open a Residential Solid Waste account by submitting fee payment and the completed Residential Solid Waste Services Application to the Molokai County Office.
