More than 45,000 residents in Hawaii’s public housing communities are set to benefit from a new initiative that will provide them with high-speed fiber internet connectivity.
This project marks a significant collaboration between the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) and Hawaiian Telcom.
With an investment of $6 million funded entirely by Hawaiian Telcom, the initiative aims to connect 81 HPHA properties, which house over 5,500 residential units, spread across Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii Island.
Construction is currently underway at several locations and is expected to be completed within the next 60 days, with a targeted finish date of August.
In addition to providing individual households with discounted internet access, Hawaiian Telcom will deliver 1 gigabit of free service to 41 shared community hubs for a decade.
These community rooms, equipped with Wi-Fi, will serve as no-cost internet access points for residents and will be funded entirely without cost to the state.
Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, who heads the state’s Connect Kakou initiative, highlighted the importance of this project in addressing the pressing issue of internet access in Hawaii.
She stated that enhancing HPHA properties with fiber infrastructure is vital for expanding opportunities in online education, telehealth services, and job-related resources, as well as for daily needs like streaming entertainment and staying connected with loved ones.
“Today, everything we do seems to be online—whether it’s to get benefits or to connect people—and fast and stable internet is a door to the world.
It is our collective responsibility, our kuleana, to keep those doors open for every single resident across the state of Hawaii,” Luke asserted.
This initiative forms part of a broader strategy aimed at closing the digital divide in Hawaii through Connect Kakou, the state’s broadband expansion effort, which has received over $400 million in federal funding.
The Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii is overseeing the coordination of these broadband investments.
HPHA Executive Director Hakim Ouansafi underscored the necessity of reliable high-speed internet in modern society.
“As we continue to modernize our communities for individuals and families with limited incomes, reliable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity,” Ouansafi remarked.
He pointed out that amidst the development of more than 10,000 new affordable homes within HPHA properties, ensuring access to efficient internet is crucial for empowering residents to thrive in connected neighborhoods.
Hawaiian Telcom was selected for the HPHA contract following a competitive bidding process.
The company will deliver approximately $5.5 million worth of infrastructure and an additional $500,000 for services related to community hubs.
Hawaiian Telcom President Su Shin, who grew up in the public housing complex Mayor Wright Homes, expressed her personal understanding of the challenges faced by underserved communities.
She emphasized the importance of bridging the technological gap, stating that adequate access to high-speed internet is essential for fostering opportunities in today’s digital age.
Shin shared that this partnership reflects Hawaiian Telcom’s commitment to ensuring that all residents of Hawaii, particularly those who are most vulnerable, have access to reliable digital resources that empower them to succeed.
Moreover, the initiative is aligned with Hawaiian Telcom’s larger vision to transform Hawaii into the first fully fiber-enabled state by the end of 2026.
Once the fiber infrastructure is established, HPHA households will have the option to subscribe to Hawaiian Telcom’s Fioptics service.
As part of this initiative, HPHA households will also benefit from a special discounted rate of $26.99 per month for 100 megabit symmetrical internet speeds.
Although comparisons to current prices are unavailable since Hawaiian Telcom has not previously provided fiber services to these properties, residents can look forward to affordable high-speed internet access.
For residents like Rommel Marcelino of Kalakaua Homes, the upgrade represents much more than enhanced internet speeds.
Marcelino stated, “We all understand that underlying health conditions do not define us—especially now with the introduction of new fiber optic internet.
For many of our kupuna, this will open new opportunities for connection, purpose, and reducing loneliness.
No matter our passions, it takes a village to achieve our goals.
This new fiber optic infrastructure will bring our communities across the island chain closer together, fostering greater unity and support for all.”
image source from：govtech
