#broadband equity

The Office of the Governor and the University of Hawaiʻi have launched a $149.5-million federal BEAD project in partnership with Hawaiian Telcom to provide fiber-optic internet access to approximately 5,800 rural and underserved homes across the state.

State leaders and partners of Hawaiʻi’s high-speed internet initiative, Connect Kākou, announced that the state has received final approval to begin deploying approximately $149 million in federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding, marking one of the most significant digital infrastructure investments in state history.

Maui County residents, nonprofits, internet service providers and others are encouraged to help update information about locations that have unserved or underserved internet connectivity in an effort to bolster high-speed internet across the state.

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., approved the use of $33 million in state funds for the state match plan for the Broadband Equity Access and Development grant program. Eight programs will be funded with this grant which will have a statewide impact on ensuring Hawai‘i’s goal toward universal broadband access. 

A broadband public comment session on the Hawaiʻi Digital Equity Plan and the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at Maui Economic Opportunity Family Center, 99 Mahalani St. in Wailuku. The program works in tandem to propose solutions for individuals and communities impacted by the “digital divide.”