Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism

For Immediate Release: November 18, 2020

HONOLULU—The newly released Hawaii Broadband Strategic Plan 2020 provides a fresh look at ways to strengthen Hawaii’s broadband infrastructure and programs at a time when the coronavirus pandemic is making clear how dependent Hawaii is on broadband connectivity for education, health, livelihood and economic prosperity.

The Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT), with support from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) and the Office of Planning (OP), published the plan, which is an update to the original Hawaii Broadband Strategic Plan released in 2012.

The 45-page document provides information and a framework for the creation of policies and programs to address the challenges faced in meeting the state’s broadband goals.

Since the original plan was published in 2012, the broadband landscape has changed dramatically. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic shined a spotlight on Hawaii’s digital divide as stay-at-home orders required people to distance learn, seek healthcare and work from home.

“Broadband connectivity is the critical infrastructure that builds resilience and ties all of Hawaii’s residents to the global economy — from businesses in our urban centers to remote workers and content creators in our rural communities,” said Gov. David Ige. “Broadband and digital equity are the foundations upon which we can build a Hawaii for the future. I would like to extend my thanks to the many stakeholders who collaborated to create this new Broadband Strategic Plan.”

“Due to the pandemic, there is even greater recognition that Hawaii’s competitiveness in the global digital economy, educational exchange, and digital competency is reliant on broadband infrastructure,” said DBEDT Director Mike McCartney. “Hawaii’s link to the rest of the world relies on transpacific fiber optic cables. Broadband is how the Internet traffic flows throughout the entire state from interisland fiber, terrestrial fiber, wireless services and rural connectivity This will be fundamental for Hawaii’s economic diversification and expansion.”

Burt Lum, DBEDT’s Broadband Strategy Officer, said, “All of Hawaii’s residents need to benefit from broadband in order for the state to thrive in the 21st century. This plan seeks to outline the steps to achieve digital equity throughout the state of Hawaii.”

Download the Hawaii Broadband Strategic Plan Update: broadband.hawaii.gov/about.

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About the Hawaii Broadband Initiative (HBI)
The Hawaii Broadband Initiative (HBI) works toward establishing key strategic infrastructure and programs to lower the cost barrier for transpacific fiber optic cables to land in Hawaii, to coordinate efforts to create a robust broadband network throughout the state and to establish digital equity for all residents to thrive in the digital economy.

About the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT)
DBEDT is Hawaii’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, and foreign trade advantages. DBEDT’s mission is to achieve a Hawaii economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all Hawaii’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments, and promotes innovation sector job growth.

Media Contacts:
Burt Lum
Broadband Strategy Officer
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
Phone (808) 587-9001
broadband.hawaii.gov

Charlene Chan
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
Phone: (808) 824-0134
dbedt.hawaii.gov