Volcanic eruptions, floods and hurricanes displaced thousands of local residents in 2018.

“We were forced out of here when fissure eight blew. I’m 1.2 miles from fissure eight,’ explained Thomas Farrell, a resident in Leilani Estates.

Farrell, like many of his neighbors, left their homes during the eruption of Kilauea in May. He said he was shocked when he returned home in September to an electric bill for $677.38.

“It’s really unfair. It’s really uncalled for. We’ve been through enough out here, give me a break,” said Farrell.

Farrell had received a letter from Hawaii Electric Light Company in May that they were “suspending billing…and would reach out once the emergency ended.” They also asked customers to call if they were evacuating or had questions.

Utilities were shut off in some areas for safety reasons, but Farrell’s home still had power. And he admits he didn’t contact HELCO at the time.

Representatives from HECO and the board of water supply said it’s important for customers in situations like this to call them to shut off service. They also said they will work with customers on a case by case basis.

After KHON reached out to HELCO on Farrell’s behalf, they said they would work with him to reduce his bill for the time he wasn’t living in his home.

The Public Utilities Commission said there are no rules in the utility company tariffs that state they cannot bill customers during natural disasters.

“When it comes to natural disasters, there’s an expectation on the part of the commission and I would expect on the part of the public, the utility would step up and deal with these circumstances in a responsible manner,” said Del Won, the executive officer with the Public Utilities Commission.

Won said that customers can call the PUC to file a formal or informal complaint if they are unable to resolve the dispute on their own.