Honolulu, Hawai‘i (August 19, 2023) – Hawaiian Telcom teams continue their dedication to serve our customers and community during this challenging time. The company remains committed to collaborating with emergency operations officials, other carriers, businesses and individuals as teams continue to restore services on Maui.
Leveraging its resilient fiber facilities and central offices that remained operational during the wildfires, Hawaiian Telcom teams successfully restored connectivity to the company’s central offices in Lāhainā and Nāpili this week. As a result, more than 1,500 customers, including the Maui Police Department and key establishments such as banks and hotels in West Maui, have their communication services fully operational once again.
Altogether, communication services have been restored to more than 11,000 customers in Nāpili, Kā’anapali, Kapalua and Makawao. Phone service has been restored in Kula, and crews continue to work on restoring internet service there.
“We appreciate Hawaiian Telcom’s dedicated efforts to restore vital communication services to Maui residents and businesses,” said Maui Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura. “Their swift action to restore connectivity and to stand up WiFi and phone service in Maui shelters was extremely helpful to impacted community members who need to get in touch with loved ones.”
Hawaiian Telcom’s efforts to restore communication services are a testament to the company’s commitment to Maui and the crucial role it plays in maintaining the infrastructure and connectivity of the Hawaiian Islands. More than 40 Hawaiian Telcom employees from neighbor islands are currently working on Maui, assisting with restoration efforts.
“It’s our kuleana to take care of our Maui ‘ohana and to ensure that we restore service to every customer we can as quickly and safely as we can,” said Ipo Morris, Director of Outside Plant Construction for Hawaiian Telcom who has been working on Maui since August 9, 2023.
Previously, Hawaiian Telcom announced:
- The company is providing free community WiFi and phone service at three Maui shelters: War Memorial Gym in Wailuku, Kīhei Gym and Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Pukalani.
- New poles and fiber were placed over Honoapiʻilani Highway and on Dickenson Street to Hawaiian Telcom’s Central Office, restoring connectivity to Lāhainā and Nāpili.
- Customers can call (808) 643-MAUI (6284) including free call forwarding, waiving equipment charges and pausing billing charges for customers affected by the wildfires.
- For the latest information and updates, please visit hawaiiantel.com/maui. This site includes information on Maui service disruptions, restoration updates and support as well as information about an employee-spearheaded collection of needed items and a link to donate funds to support Maui.
- For safety, please avoid downed lines as they could be active electric lines that are dangerous to touch. Moving them could also hamper restoration efforts. To report fallen utility poles or cables or contact the customer support team, please call (808) 643-6111 or visit hawaiiantel.com/supportform.
About Hawaiian Telcom
This year, Hawaiian Telcom celebrates its 140th anniversary. Established by King David Kalākaua in 1883, Hawaiian Telcom carries on its commitment to innovation and digital equity for Hawai‘i residents and businesses. The company’s expanding future-proof, energy-efficient fiber network across the Hawaiian Islands, including rural neighbor island communities, supports access to an array of communication services and business solutions. For more information, visit hawaiiantel.com.
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Contact
Ann Nishida Fry
(808) 285-9289
Ann.nishida@hawaiiantel.com