#broadband
Lt. Gov. Luke signs bill to establish Broadband Office, expand digital navigator program
The landmark legislation strengthens the state’s commitment to closing the digital divide and ensuring all Hawaiʻi residents have access to reliable internet and the digital skills needed to thrive.
Free Wi-Fi offered at Molokaʻi Airport
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation announced free Wi-Fi is now available at Molokaʻi Airport (MKK). Service through Hawaiian Telcom began April 17, 2025, and is available throughout the terminal.
Gov. Green approves Broadband Equity Access and Development state match plan
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.
UH announces $120M undersea cable to expand high-speed internet in Hawaiʻi
The University of Hawaiʻi and Ocean Networks, Inc. announced a $120 million, public-private partnership to construct a submarine optical fiber cable system that is aimed at connecting the Hawaiian Islands and improving and expanding high-speed broadband internet throughout the state.
State opens public comment period on draft Hawaiʻi Digital Equity Plan
Digital equity objectives include the availability and affordability of both fixed and wireless broadband; the accessibility and inclusivity of online public resources and services; digital literacy; awareness and use of security and online privacy and cybersecurity; and the availability and affordability of consumer devices and technical support for those devices.
Hawaiian Telcom launches $87M Fiber Broadband Infrastructure Project
Hawaiian Telcom announced an $87 million fiber broadband project to expand middle mile infrastructure throughout the state. Middle mile infrastructure carries large amounts of data over long distances, increases capacity to local networks, boosts network resiliency, and helps connect unserved regions to the Internet backbone.
Hawaiʻi is set to receive $5.6M to expand high-speed internet access
Hawai‘i will receive $5.6 million in new federal funding from the US Department of Commerce to expand high-speed internet access in unserved and underserved communities.
Hawaiian Telcom invested $100M for statewide Fiber-to-the-Premise deployment
result of this investment, an additional 30,000 locations throughout the state now have access to FTTP broadband service.
Schatz Calls on Federal Agencies to Share Data in Effort to Expand Access to Internet
“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it even more apparent that affordable and reliable broadband is critical to accessing education, health care, and other essential services. Yet millions of households remain unconnected either because broadband infrastructure has not been built to their homes or the price of broadband services is out of reach for them.”
Emergency Broadband Connections Act Would Provide $50 a Month Toward Access
This bill would provide internet-connected devices and $50 a month toward broadband access to workers who were laid off or furloughed during the pandemic as well as others in need.
Hawaiian Telcom Increases Broadband Access
Hawaiian Telcom announced it has enabled more than 1,000 rural locations throughout Hawai‘i with fiber broadband this year.
