What drives electric bills in Hawaii
Residential electricity in Hawaii averaged 46.3¢ per kWh in January–July 2026, up 12.7% from 41.1¢ in the same months a year earlier (the U.S. average went up 6.9%). In July 2026, the latest month available, it was 48.0¢. The typical home here used 495 kWh a month in 2024, 43% less than the U.S. average, so a high bill usually points to the price per kWh or to one big appliance.
- Imported oil. Oil-fired power plants still make a large share of Hawaii’s electricity. Fuel costs pass straight through to your bill and can change every month.
- Small, separate grids. Each island needs its own power plants and backup, which is expensive per customer.
- Air conditioning. More homes now have A/C, which adds a lot to bills at Hawaii’s prices.
Who supplies your power
Hawaiian Electric serves Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Hawaii Island. The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) serves Kauai.
Ways to pay less in Hawaii
- Hawaii Energy, the state’s efficiency program, offers rebates on solar water heaters, efficient A/C units and appliances. A solar water heater can cut a large part of a typical bill.
- If you have rooftop solar, check that your system and battery are working. A broken inverter can go unnoticed for months.
For example, a 1,500 W space heater running 8 hours a day costs about $169 a month at Hawaii prices. Check what your appliances cost to run in Hawaii.
Help paying your bill in Hawaii
- LIHEAP: Hawaii’s program, through the Department of Human Services and county agencies, offers energy credits and crisis help.
- Hawaii Energy income-qualified programs: free or discounted efficient appliances and upgrades for income-eligible households.
Statewide help is in addition to the federal programs, such as LIHEAP and weatherization, that the bill checker above lists. Call 211 to find the agency that handles them near you.
Is solar worth it in Hawaii?
A typical 7 kW rooftop system in Hawaii produces roughly 10,150 kWh a year, about 100% of what an average home here uses. At the state’s average price of 46.3¢, that power is worth about $4,697 a year. What you actually save depends on your roof, the price you pay for the system, the 30% federal tax credit rules in effect when you buy, and how your utility credits the power you send to the grid. Get at least three quotes before you decide.
How Hawaii compares with nearby states
| State | Price per kWh | kWh a month | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 46.3¢ | 495 | $229 |
| Alaska | 27.1¢ | 578 | $157 |
| California | 33.3¢ | 503 | $167 |
| U.S. average | 18.2¢ | 863 | $157 |
Price: average residential price, January–July 2026, U.S. Energy Information Administration (Electric Power Monthly, tables 5.6.A and 5.6.B). Usage: average monthly consumption per home, 2024, EIA form EIA-861. Typical bill = typical usage × current average price. Solar output is a rough estimate for a south-facing roof.