Hawaii

The Aloha State received three rating affirmations as it prepares to sell $750 million of taxable general obligation bonds.

Fears of a Hawaiian Electric bankruptcy abated after a settlement was announced that would cap the utility's liability for the Maui wildfire under $2 billion.

The triple-tax-exempt bonds should be in demand, especially the non-AMT series, analysts said.

The utility had $542 million of outstanding tax-exempt special purpose revenue bonds issued through the Hawaii Department of Budget of Finance at year-end 2023.

The authority is refunding its 2014A bonds to gain debt service savings.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green's last-minute attempt to resuscitate a bill that would have allowed Hawaii Electric Co. to issue debt, backed by a rate increase, failed.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green outlined the state's plan to permanently house everyone displaced by the fire — and how he plans to pay for it during a media briefing.

Fitch analysts cited improved financial metrics, a full recovery on enplanements and great clarity on its capital program.

Hawaii's budget director told a state Senate committee the costs to house people are coming in double what was estimated.

The authority is one of the few investment-grade U.S. issuers actively selling triple-tax-exempt paper.