Iwase praised for ‘extensive experience’

Randy Iwase, a former Mili­lani state senator who ran against Gov. Linda Lingle in 2006, was selected Friday by Gov. David Ige to head the Public Utilities Commission.

If confirmed by the state Senate, Iwase, 67, would take over as chairman of the PUC just as the commission faces one of its biggest decisions ever: whether to approve the $4.3 billion sale of Hawaiian Electric Industries to Florida-based NextEra Energy Inc.

"Randy Iwase’s extensive experience makes him the right person to lead the Public Utilities Commission during this time of transition and transformation," Ige said. "He has tackled tough issues in the past and has a strong record of commitment to the public. I know he will hold the regulated industries accountable to the people of Hawaii."

Iwase is succeeding former Chairwoman Hermina Morita, who resigned Monday. She also expressed doubts at a Capitol hearing Friday that NextEra can follow local business practices.

"As we begin the investigation of one of our most significant business transactions in this state’s history, I believe the answer we seek is whether NextEra, a Florida-based company, can incorporate and will perpetuate, in its corporate philosophy and structure, Hawaii’s triple bottom line: kule­ana, taking responsibility; malama pono, to do what is right and just; and aloha, compassion and cooperation," Morita said. "Only then, I believe, can NextEra establish a true partnership with Hawaii."

Iwase, an attorney and former Hono­lulu councilman, left the state Senate in 2000 for the state Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board.

During his campaign against Republican Lingle, Iwase, a Demo­crat, cited his bipartisan work for an income tax cut in the late 1990s as one of his accomplishments. During the campaign he was described as a liberal who believes in the party’s traditional values of equality, equal opportunity and worker rights. He said the state’s economy and low unemployment masked quality-of-life struggles of the lower and middle classes who can barely afford to live in the islands.

"It’s not the stereotypical face that the public believes," he said in 2006. "We’re talking about families. We’re talking about people who work but can’t make ends meet."

In a news release Friday, Iwase said, "The state’s long-term success depends on the affordable and environmentally appropriate generation and distribution of energy. I’m eager to get to work."

iwase’s prior service as a state legislator, Hono­lulu City Council member and chairman of the Hawaii State Tax Review Commission makes him the ideal candidate to take over PUC leadership responsibilities, Ige said.

Iwase earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law.

Blue Planet Foundation Executive Director Jeff Miku­lina, who worked with Iwase when he was at the Legislature, said, "He was a good legislator in understanding the process. He is an attorney by training. With anyone getting into that position, there is going to be a steep learning curve with the changing energy landscape. This is a whole new role. We hope Chair Iwase can bring a similar level of passion as Chair Morita brought."