Hawaiian groups support NextEra, HEI deal
NextEra Energy Inc. and Hawaiian Electric Industries said Monday five Native Hawaiian groups have come out in support of NextEra’s proposed $4.3 billion buyout of the state’s largest electrical utility.
The companies said the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, Imua Hawaii, the Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homelands Assembly and the King Kamehameha Hawaiian Civic Club join a tally of nearly 70 organizations that support the proposed sale. The sale is currently under review by the state Public Utilities Commission. The PUC’s stamp of approval is required for the deal to close.
Deborah Ho‘okano Nishijo, president of the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber supports NextEra’s proposed buyout of HEI because it ensures proper investments in Hawaii’s future.
“This merger is the right direction for a clean energy future,” Ho‘okano Nishijo said in a news release. “We have been carefully listening to the PUC hearings and various opinions regarding this merger and believe it is time for us to make our voice known.”
NextEra’s openness to collaborate with local groups combined with the Florida-based company’s resources create a valuable asset for Hawaii’s future, Ho‘okano Nishijo said.
“NextEra Energy has allowed native Hawaiian voices to be heard,” she said. “It’s valuable for everyone when a mainland company not only brings their expertise and resources to Hawaii, but looks to native Hawaiians for understanding and clarity on the values we hold and the way we do business together.”
Ho‘okano Nishijo said NextEra’s commitment to support local organizations and maintain corporate giving of at least $2.2 million annually are additional reasons she views the acquisition to be valuable to Hawaii’s future.
EXECUTIVES at the companies said they were grateful for the support.
“The missions of these organizations reflect the deep cultural values of our islands, and their support is a significant endorsement,” said Alan Oshima, Hawaiian Electric Co. president and CEO. “Partnering with NextEra Energy, we’re committed to living up to those values for Hawaii.”
“We are humbled to have the endorsement of the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce,” said Eric Gleason, president of NextEra Energy Hawaii. “We take very seriously our responsibility to invest on behalf of future generations and look forward to helping Hawaii accelerate its 100 percent renewable energy future.”
The groups join other local chambers of commerce, businesses and unions that support the potential sale, such as the Molokai Chamber of Commerce, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, Makai Ocean Engineering, Nalo Farms and Stanford Carr Development.
THE DEAL has also attracted opponents since NextEra and HEI announced the potential merger in December 2014.
A record number of groups requested to be a part of the PUC review process, with 25 groups now involved — the majority of those groups are opposed to NextEra’s current proposal.
Those opposed to the sale include environmental activists, clean-energy organizations, local solar companies and politicians. Gov. David Ige has said he is against the sale.
The sales contract between HEI and NextEra expires June 3. At that time either party can terminate the deal. According to the contract, NextEra has to pay HEI $90 million if the company fails to get regulatory approval.
23 responses to “Hawaiian groups support NextEra, HEI deal”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Interesting how NextEra is performing ‘annual corporate giving of $2.2 million’ to the groups that have come out in support of the merger/buyout. Sounds to me like ‘campaign contributions’. Jus’ sayin’….
So easily bought. Disgraced to be Hawaiian.
Just shows that it is easy to get Hawaiians to support you, just pay them.
Eh Hawaiians! You guys never learn?? You got screwed up when your nation got taken away from you and you want another takeover? I think when you went to protest at Mauna Kea, the thin air got to you.
Your absolutely right! If all these Hawaiian groups were not getting something for free out of this, they would be on the opposite side of the fence saying how bad Nexera is and how they are going to ruin the Aina and on and on! Amazing what money can do!
True..and in all truth, the Hawaiian Chamber does not in any way speak for Hawaiians. No group alone does. By the way, the SA report is vague. I think what they are saying is that if the sale goes through, Nextera will retain HECO’s charitable Foundation and its charitable distribution budget. No new money for the community alas.
Bought off for 2.2M… đ
Hawaiian or not HECO has done an incredibly terrible job.
Now that these clowns have jumped on the payola bandwagon, I will have to reconsider my previous support for the merger. What a precedent! Begin your operation in the state with some bribery of Hawaiians. Well, it is Hawaii, and NextEra seems to have learned how things work around here.
All it took was a plate lunch!
Support the Big Island – TMT project.
SunEdison (SUNE) stock has fallen to $0.60 per share as bankruptcy looms. SunEdison was developing the Mililani, Waipio and Kawailoa solar farms.
I drive past the Mililani site everyday. It looks to be more than half way completed. Just finish the installation and throw the switch already. The panels that are already installed aren’t making any electric not being hooked into the grid. Why not generate electricity and bring in revenue while Sun Edison gets their affairs in order?
“…throw the switch already” it isn’t that easy putting 100MW onto the grid
Many people criticized HE’s earlier decision to cancel the contract with SunEdison. But it looks like it was the right move. Hopefully the company that’s proposing to buy the solar farms from SunEdison can do a better job.
Just review what this company has done in or to other States.
And understand how those markets are different from our own to understand what can and cannot be replicated in Hawaii.
Perhaps this will change some minds?
just by reading the article title i new these groups were paid a handsome full of money…. these hawaiians are selling out!!!!! i guess history repeats itself. white man comes in talk story with the hawaiian than take everything.
Err, these “Hawaiian” groups are our local versions of what Sheryl Atkinson idnetifies in her excellent and highly recommended TedX talk as astroturf groups, meaning not really grassroots groups but organized PR campaigns funded by insiders in industries affected to influence public opiniion by pretending to be representing the public. A certain developer is known as being one of these along with having a reputation for being a thug.
One of the basic jobs of a business is to make decisions. The PUC has had this for about a year–golly–do something yes or no, but do something, not have it like a ping pong ball for public opinion. Native Hawaiians being paid to endorse the merger? Take a look at our legislature–why was the lottery bill dropped? How did we get rail? They got paid by the money and political pressure of the lobbyists!!!! That is the way things are done in Hawaii–some get caught, but the “ethics” committee like the PUC can’t make a decision!
The only reason why the Hawaiians are supporting this merger is because they are getting paybacks for their support. What has Nextera done to work towards clean energy or renewable energy? Do they have a track record on the mainland to support this? No, they don’t. They talk a big talk but when it comes down to action I don’t see them doing very much. Also note that Nextera does not report to the people of Hawaii, they report to their mainland shareholders so once they get their foot in the door their only goal is to make their shareholders more money. People of Hawaii do not trust this company because their work on the mainland does not reflect this “clean, renewable energy” pledge.
Even a lay person like me can see how desperate NextEra is attempting to close the deal by now offering $$$ to these groups. How shameful!