Honolulu, Hawai‘i (August 13, 2023) – Hawaiian Telcom teams are working hard and making progress in restoring phone and internet to customers on Maui whose services were impacted by the wildfires as areas are deemed safe to access.
Connectivity has been restored to about 10,000 customers in Kula and Makawao, and to several cell sites in Hosmer Grove.
Hawaiian Telcom continues to coordinate with county, state and federal officials to provide phone and community WiFi services to assist the community on Maui. Phone service is now available at the shelter at the War Memorial Gym and Hawaiian Telcom is working to install 1 gigabit speed fiber internet service via WiFi. Hawaiian Telcom technicians are also working to add phone and WiFi service at the shelter at the Kihei Gym.
Customers in areas such as Lāhainā, Nāpili, and Kā‘anapali can request to have calls to their Hawaiian Telcom landline numbers forwarded free of charge to another phone number. Customers can call a new toll-free number created to assist Maui residents: (808) 643-MAUI (6284) to submit an online request. The company is also working to pause billing charges for customers affected by the wildfires.
Hawaiian Telcom created hawaiiantel.com/maui on its website that 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.
Maui customers are encouraged to continue to keep non-essential calls to a minimum to ensure that lines can remain open for emergency purposes. Cell phone users are encouraged to text instead of call when possible. 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