In a press release issued on Thursday, Aug. 14, Mayor Charmaine Tavares commented on the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) action that raised water and wastewater rates for West Moloka‘i customers.“The increased revenue generated by the PUC’s action to raise utility rates and its requirement that Moloka‘i Ranch continue operating should mean that water and wastewater services for the residents of Moloka‘i’s west end will continue without interruption,” she said. “At the same time, the people who live, gather and do business on the west side of Moloka‘i will now have to pay a sudden and dramatic increase in water and wastewater rates as a result of the mismanagement of the utilities.” The mayor assured, “To assist the people of Moloka‘i, the County of Maui will be taking steps to provide temporary subsidies for those that qualify.”