PUC Annual Report–Fiscal Year 2011-12 - Public Utilities Commission

Public Utilities Commission Annual Report 2011-12
State of Hawaii Page 7
and thus a Radio Department was established in 1931. 9 Later in the thirties, the radio
department became its own commission. 10 A Motor Vehicle Department was
established in 1932 to survey the “cruising jitney bus situation” and ultimately to modify
the rules and practices that regulate these modes of transportation. 11 In 1937, the
Commission began hearings to issue the first certificates of public convenience and
necessity (“CPCN”) for buses. 12 The Commission began to regulate interisland
transportation of passengers via airlines in the late thirties or 1940. 13 The Commission
regulated only long-term financing matters while the fares, schedules, operations, safety
and facilities were under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aeronautics Board and the
Hawaii Aeronautics Commission. 14 The Commission reinforced their right to regulate
airlines in a 1961 ruling. 15 The oversight of airlines lasted until 1981, when Act 167
relinquished the PUC from this duty. 8 Two other areas that the Commission used to
regulate include motor carrier safety (from 1961 7 to 1977 8 then transferred to the
Department of Transportation) and the gas cap, which began in 2002 16 and ended in
2006. 17 Despite a 1965 Attorney General opinion that the PUC is empowered to regulate
cable television, the 1970 Legislature created the Cable Television Division in the
Department of Regulatory Agencies, 7 where it currently resides, though the DRA is now
9 Nineteenth Annual Report of the Public Utilities Commission of the Territory of
Hawaii for the Year Ended December 31, 1931.
10 “Radio Commission’s Annual Report holds unit is necessary.” Honolulu
Star-Bulletin. August 18, 1939. P. 3.
11 Twentieth Annual Report of the Public Utilities Commission of the Territory of
Hawaii for the Year Ended December 31, 1932.
1937. P.1.
12 “Board begins hearing over bus licenses.” Honolulu Star-Bulletin. June 30,
13 There is a break in reporting from the Public Utilities Commission but the
Annual Report for the year 1950 indicates numbers from 1940-1949 for motor vehicle
common carriers and airlines.
governor.
14 Public Utilities Commission, Territory of Hawaii. 1958 Annual Report to the
1:8.
15 “PUC has control over airlines.” Honolulu Star-Bulletin. December 14, 1961.
16 State of Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Annual Report Fiscal Year 2002.
May 6, 2006.
17 Godvin, Tara. “Governor signs gas cap into History.” Honolulu Star-Bulletin.