Hawaii Water Service Receives Hawaii Public Utilities Commission Approval to Acquire HOH Utilities

Rhea-AI Summary

Hawaii Water Service has received approval from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to acquire HOH Utilities, LLC, enhancing its operations on Kauai. HOH Utilities, serving nearly 1,800 customers in the Poipu and Koloa regions, includes various residential and commercial properties. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions. Hawaii Water, a subsidiary of California Water Service Group, currently serves 6,000 customers across multiple Hawaiian islands, providing essential utility services. This strategic move is expected to expand Hawaii Water's market presence and service offerings.

Positive

• Acquisition of HOH Utilities enhances market presence in Kauai.
• Serves nearly 1,800 customers, including hotels and resorts.
• Expansion of Hawaii Water's customer base from 6,000 to nearly 7,800.

Negative

• None.

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii, July 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hawaii Water Service (Hawaii Water) has received approval from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (Commission) to acquire the assets of HOH Utilities, LLC., moving the utility one step closer to establishing operations on Kauai. Hawaii Water is a subsidiary of California Water Service Group (Group) (NYSE: CWT).

HOH Utilities is a wastewater utility in the growing Poipu and Koloa area of Kauai County. With the acquisition, Hawaii Water will own and manage the utility, which currently serves almost 1,800 residential, commercial, and resort customers, including three hotels, condominiums, multi-family housing, a golf course, and single-family homes. The sale remains subject to customary closing conditions.

“We appreciate the trust the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has in our team and expertise to provide quality, service, and value to residents, businesses, and visitors on Kauai island,” said Martin A. Kropelnicki, Group President and CEO. “We look forward to working with HOH Utilities to complete the acquisition and welcome their customers to our ohana.”

Hawaii Water currently provides water, wastewater, and/or recycled water utility services to almost 6,000 customers, including a number of large resorts and condominium complexes, in the communities of Ka‘anapali, Pukalani, Kalaeloa, Kapalua, Kapolei, Waikoloa, North Kona Coast, and Kohala Coast on Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island, respectively. Hawaii Water’s services include meter reading, water quality testing, water and wastewater treatment, water system design and construction, and customer service.

Hawaii Water is a wholly owned subsidiary of California Water Service Group, which also includes California Water Service, New Mexico Water Service, Washington Water Service, and Texas Water Service, a utility holding company. Together, these companies provide regulated and non-regulated utility service to more than 2 million people in over 100 California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington communities. Group’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CWT.” Additional information is available online at www.calwatergroup.com.
        
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("Act"). The forward-looking statements are intended to qualify under provisions of the federal securities laws for "safe harbor" treatment established by the Act. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections, and management's judgment about the Company, the water utility industry and general economic conditions. Such words as would, expects, intends, plans, believes, estimates, assumes, anticipates, projects, predicts, forecasts or variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from what is contained in a forward-looking statement. Factors that may cause a result different than expected or anticipated include, but are not limited to: ability to close the acquisition of HOH Utilities, integrate the businesses, and operate HOH Utilities system in an effective and accretive manner; natural disasters, public health crises, pandemics, epidemics or outbreaks of a contagious disease, such as the outbreak of coronavirus (or COVID‐19); governmental and regulatory commissions' decisions, including decisions on proper disposition of property; consequences of eminent domain actions relating to our water systems; changes in regulatory commissions' policies and procedures; the timeliness of regulatory commissions' actions concerning rate relief and other actions; changes in water quality standards; changes in environmental compliance and water quality requirements; electric power interruptions; housing and customer growth trends; the impact of opposition to rate increases; our ability to recover costs; availability of water supplies; issues with the implementation, maintenance or security of our information technology systems; civil disturbances or terrorist threats or acts; the adequacy of our efforts to mitigate physical and cyber security risks and threats; the ability of our enterprise risk management processes to identify or address risks adequately; labor relations matters as we negotiate with unions; changes in customer water use patterns and the effects of conservation; the impact of weather, climate, natural disasters, and diseases on water quality, water availability, water sales and operating results, and the adequacy of our emergency preparedness; and, other risks and unforeseen events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements included in this paragraph, as well as the annual 10-K, Quarterly 10-Q, and other reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Company assumes no obligation to provide public updates of forward-looking statements.             

Contact:	Yvonne Kingman, 310-257-1434 (media)
	Tom Smegal, 408-367-8200 (analysts)

FAQ

What is the significance of Hawaii Water's acquisition of HOH Utilities?

The acquisition allows Hawaii Water to expand its operations in Kauai, serving a growing customer base.

When was the acquisition of HOH Utilities approved?

The approval from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission was granted on July 6, 2022.

How many customers does HOH Utilities serve?

HOH Utilities currently serves approximately 1,800 customers in the Poipu and Koloa areas.

What services does Hawaii Water provide?

Hawaii Water provides water, wastewater, and recycled water utility services, including meter reading and water quality testing.

What is the ticker symbol for California Water Service Group?

The ticker symbol for California Water Service Group is CWT.