Maui Electric Company

The Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company, HC&S - founded by Claus Spreckels- installed the first oil-fired power plant in Hawaii to serve the Puunene Mill in 1907. Island Investment Company formed the Island Electric Company to provide Wailuku town with electricity in 1911. The company folded in 1919. Maui Electric Company, Ltd. was established in 1921. Maui extended service to Paia, Haiku, Hula, and Makawao in 1933. Nearly half of the power HC&S generated was delivered to the military by Maui Electric to support wartime power requirements in 1942. Maui Electric built its first power plant in Kahului in 1948. Maui Electric expanded its Kahului power plant by adding a 12,000-kv unit in 1954. Maui Electric extended along radial 23-kv transmission feeder up the 10,000 foot summit of Haleakala in 1955. Maui Electric built a 69-kv transmission line from Kahului to Lahaina in 1957. Hana Light & Power merged with Maui Electric in 1964. Maui Electric took over Lahaina Light & Power from Pioneer Mill making it an island-wide utility in 1967. Maui Electric joined Hawaiian Electric Company in 1968. Maui Electric purchases Lanai’s distribution system in 1954. Maalaea plant is built in 1971. Maui Electric purchased two high speed diesel generators from the Central Intelligence Agency facility in 1986. Maui Electric acquired Lanai City Power Plant on Lanai in 1988. Maui Electric acquired Molokai Electric Company in 1989.