Honolulu (June 4, 2024) – Hawaiian Telcom continues to serve residential and business customers on Hawaiian Home Lands where there is infrastructure for connectivity. On May 31, Gov. Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation to prevent the loss of telecommunications services for about 1,500 homes and businesses currently served by Sandwich Isles Communications.
Hawaiian homesteaders who are interested in fiber internet or phone service should call Hawaiian Telcom at the following numbers:
• 808-475-8469 for residential service
• 808-546-3458 for business service
Sandwich Isles Communications announced last week it would stop serving its customers on June 1. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is urging Sandwich Isles Communications customers to find another provider and is providing information at www.dhhlbroadband.com/.
“We proudly serve Hawaiian homesteads throughout the state where we have the infrastructure and have been allowed access to serve,” said Su Shin, Hawaiian Telcom President. “We will continue to include Hawaiian Home Lands in our plans as we invest in expanding our future-proof fiber network to bridge the digital divide here in Hawai‘i, enabling broadband access to more people in more places.”
Hawaiian Telcom is also proud to announce its successful bid for conduits in the recent federal auction of telecommunication assets owned by Sandwich Isles Communications and is awaiting final approval by the federal court. Hawaiian Telcom’s proposed ownership of the conduit system is a critical step toward advancing connectivity for Hawaiian Home Lands.
The bid does not include the wiring or equipment still owned by Sandwich Isles Communications and necessary to maintain current services for their customers. Sandwich Isles Communications’ obligation to serve its customers remains unchanged.
Hawaiian Telcom is committed to facilitating a seamless transition for the affected residents, businesses, and community institutions in areas it serves. Hawaiian Telcom’s goal is to ensure the continued provisioning of reliable telecommunication services and to leverage its state-of-the-art network to support fiber expansion and enhanced connectivity across Hawaiian Home Lands.
When Hawaiian Telcom takes possession of the conduit system, the company will work closely with beneficiaries and stakeholders to ensure that their telecommunication needs are not only met but significantly improved through Hawaiian Telcom’s fiber network.
Hawaiian Telcom will also work with other service providers to allow non-discriminatory access to available capacity in these conduits so residents have options on their service provider. This effort underscores Hawaiian Telcom’s commitment to fostering community growth and ensuring that everyone on Hawaiian Home Lands has access to high-quality, resilient telecommunications infrastructure.
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About Hawaiian Telcom
Established by King David Kalakaua in 1883, Hawaiian Telcom, a locally managed legacy company, has served Hawaiʻi's telecommunications needs for over 140 years. Headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaiian Telcom delivers communications solutions, including high-speed internet, video, voice, data network solutions and security, managed and cloud services to residential, business and wholesale customers over its statewide future-proof fiber network. Hawaiian Telcom has expanded the possibilities of community connectivity, offering the fastest, most reliable connection available through its resilient, weather-proof fiber network.
Hawaiian Telcom has made a significant investment in the state, from building local infrastructure, including laying new undersea cables across the Pacific to Asia, to making strides in closing the digital divide by expanding its services statewide and supporting local organizations with programs focused on digital equity. Since 2017, between grants and sponsorships, Hawaiian Telcom has given more than $5.5 million to support nonprofits and charitable initiatives across Hawaiʻi. For more information, visit Hawaiiantel.com.
Contact
Ann Nishida Fry
(808) 285-9289
Ann.nishida@hawaiiantel.com