HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2021-20COUNTY COUNCIL
COUNTY OF KAUA'I
~esolution No. 2021-20
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING DIGITAL EQUITY AND
URGING DEVELOPMENT OF BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE
TO BOLSTER COVID-19 RECOVERY AND
FOSTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
WHEREAS, unequal access to digital services in Kaua'i County has created a
"digital divide" among vulnerable populations and along racial, economic, and
geographical boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the State of Hawai'i Department of Transportation identified
Kapa'a as a pilot site to offer free public WiFi, but digital inequity has been
exacerbated by COVlD-19 and has prevented residents from accessing employment,
education, healthcare, civic engagement, emergency preparedness, and other critical
services; and
WHEREAS, like electricity and water, internet access should be considered a
public utility, as it is essential to equality of opportunity, access to other public goods,
and access to education; and
WHEREAS, according to 2019 American Community Survey data:
• 11.8% of households in Hawai'i (approximately 55,000) did not have an
internet subscription;
• 9.5% of households in Hawai'i (approximately 44,000) had no internet
access at all; and
• 7% of households in Hawai'i (approximately 32,000) had no computer; and
WHEREAS, on October 23, 2020, the Los Angeles Times reported "Susan
Aaronson, Director of the Digital Trade and Data Governance Hub at George
Washington University, went so far as to say affordable high-speed internet access
'is a service that government should provide"'; and
WHEREAS, since its initial convening in March 2020, a group now known as
Broadband Hui, has grown to more than 200 individuals representing wireline and
wireless carriers. Federal, State, and County legislative and administrative leaders,
local, national, and international nonprofit organizations, public and private schools,
universities, and private businesses have been meeting weekly to address the urgent
need to provide digital connectivity to those in need; and
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WHEREAS, the Hawai'i Broadband Strategic Plan, attached as Exhibit "A",
outlines the following goals:
• Ensure Robust Broadband Infrastructure to All Hawai'i Residents;
• Expand Digital Inclusion and Adoption to Achieve Digital Equity;
• Enable Hawai'i to Thrive through a Digital Economy; and
• Strengthen Community Resilience through Broadband; and
WHEREAS, the Broadband Hui's Digital Equity Declaration compiles its
priorities, sets a foundation for collective action among private-and public-sector
partners, and is a call to advance three pillars of digital equity:
1. Access: affordable, quality broadband for all;
2. Literacy: a baseline of digital competence for all; and
3. Livelihood: societal systems effectively leveraging digital opportunities to
improve lives; and
WHEREAS, on January 25, 2021, Governor David Y. Ige stated in his State of
the State address, "a critical part of reprogramming our economy is also the creation
of a healthy statewide broadband network" and during the pandemic, "the importance
of broadband to everything that we do was made all too real"; and
WHEREAS, digital equity helps to further the work of critical initiatives such
as the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, the Hawai'i Comm-q_nity
Foundation's CHANGE Framework, the State's Aloha+ Challenge, and the 'Aina
Aloha Economic Futures Declaration; and
WHEREAS, the City and County of Honolulu, County of Hawai'i, and Maui
County are signatories of the Digital Equity Declaration; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF KAUA'I,
STATE OF HAWAI'I, that it supports and urges the State of Hawai'i and Kaua'i
County to support the Hawai'i Broadband Strategic Plan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that it will become a signatory to the Digital
Equity Declaration crafted by the Broadband Hui convened by the Department of
Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; the Economic Development Alliance
of Hawai'i; and Transform Hawai'i Government.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that it encourages the advancement of policies,
programs, and initiatives for public and private broadband infrastructure
investment, including reducing the costs and delays associated with permitting,
regulatory, and acquisition processes to ensure access to broadband for all residents.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that it supports financing connectivity to
underserved or unserved areas, including providing financial subsidies for access to
internet as a public utility and creating broadband improvement zones with access to
broadband services on each island.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that it encourages promoting public awareness
and outreach, emphasizing broadband as a basic need for comm unity and economic
well-being, including in education, healthcare, governance, and communications.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that it will work to enable community access
to connectivity at public schools and colleges, libraries, fire stations, and other
community anchor institutions, ensuring connectivity and devices to all students and
teachers to bridge the digital divide.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that it supports legislation at the Hawai'i State
Legislature that advances digital connectivity and equity.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this Resolution shall be
transmitted to United States Senator Brian E. Schatz; United States Senator Mazie
K. Hirono; United States Representative Ed Case; United States Representative
Kaiali'i Kahele; Governor David Y. Ige; Lt. Governor Josh Green; Senate President
Ronald D. Kouchi; Representative Daynette "Dee" Morikawa; Representative Nadine
K. Nakamura; Representative James Kunane Tokioka; Director Mike McCartney
State of Hawai'i Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and
County of Kaua'i Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami.
Introduced by:
LUKE A. EV,IN
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BILL DECOSTA
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Exhibit "A"
HAWAII BROADBAND
STRATEGIC PLAN
October 2020 Edition
Department of Business,
Economic Development & Tourism
Office of Planning
State of Hawaii
With support and assistance from
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
and the Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii
Contents
Introduction ................................................................................... 1
Strategic Goals and Actions ........................................................... 5
• Goal 1 Ensure Robust Broadband Infrastructure to All Hawaii
Residents ............................................................................................... 6
• Goal 2 Expand Digital Inclusion and Adoption to Achieve
Digital Equity ........................................................................................ 9
• Goal 3 Enable Hawaii to Thrive through a Digital Economy ............... 11
• Goal 4 Strengthen Community Resilience through Broadband ......... 13
Hawaii's Broadband Landscape .................................................... 15
Broadband Infrastructure in the State ............................................................ 15
• Broadband Systems Overview ............................................................ 16
• Infrastructure Segments ...................................................................... 19
• Broadband Availability ........................................................................ 20
• Unserved and Underserved Areas (Island Maps) ................................ 21
State Characteristics ..................................................................... 26
Geography and Environment ........................................................................ 26
• Population Demographics ........................ , ......................................... 28
• State's Role in Cable TV, Land Use Regulation
and Education ..................................................................................... 31
• Limited Competition ........................................................................... 31
• Characteristics Specific to Each County
o City and County of Honolulu .................................................... 32
o County of Maui ......................................................................... 34
o County of Hawaii ...................................................................... 36
o County of Kauai ........................................................................ 38
INTRODUCTION.
Like electricity a century ago, broadband is a foundation for economic growth, job creation,
global competitiveness and a better way of life. It is enabling entire new industries and
unlocking vast new possibilities for existing ones. It is changing how we educate children,
deliver health care, manage energy, ensure public safety, engage government, and access,
organize and disseminate knowledge.
The National Broadband Plan 1
Broadband is the critical infrastructure of the 21st century and as such needs to be a
public and private sector priority. The State of Hawaii recognizes robust broadband
infrastructure as foundational to Hawaii's economic future and, as importantly, the
quality of life of its residents. In 2007, the Hawaii State Legislature formed the Hawaii
Broadband Task Force and charged it with removing barriers to broadband access,
identifying opportunities for increased broadband development and adoption, and
enabling the creation and deployment of new advanced communications technologies
in Hawaii." The Task Force issued its final report to the Governor and to the Legislature
in December 2008 that recommended strategic actions to meet Hawaii's goals
including establishing a forward-looking vision to make Hawaii globally competitive,
welcoming trans-Pacific submarine fiber to Hawaii, ensuring access to broadband for all
its citizens.
Legislation followed in 2010 that charged the Department of Commerce and
Consumer Affairs (DCCA) with promoting broadband development; created the
Broadband Assistance and Advisory Council (BAAC) under DCCA which would
convene and gather stakeholder perspectives into the strategic process; and
established a full-time chief information officer and an information technology steering
committee.
In August of 2011, the Hawaii Broadband Initiative (HBI) was launched with the goal of
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ubiquitous gigabit (one gigabit per second) connectivity throughout Hawaii by 2018,
and the ultimate purpose of ensuring that all of Hawaii's citizens have access to high-
speed broadband at affordable prices. Towards this end, the HBI directed State
officials and agencies to work together and with other levels of government, the
University of Hawaii (UH), broadband providers, and other stakeholders to create and
implement plans, policies, and programs to achieve the goals of the Initiative.
Throughout, the various State agencies have continued their broadband activities,
directed by statute, enabled by grants, or executed in furtherance of the HBI. These
activities have included program related initiatives and projects as well as proposed
legislation in furtherance of the HBI and other synergistic programs and initiatives.
In 2012, the State Broadband Strategic Plan was developed to provide information and
a framework for the creation of policies and programs to address the challenges faced
in meeting both state and national broadband goals. The Plan supported grant-seeking
at the State and county levels to implement the recommended policies, programs, and
activities to advance broadband access and use statewide. To best inform the Plan,
provider and stakeholder review and input was sought as well as input from county
officials and multiple state agencies.
Since the establishment of the Hawaii Broadband Initiative the focus has been on
establishing key strategic digital infrastructure including a carrier neutral cable landing
station on Oahu and the neighbor islands to lower the cost barrier for trans-Pacific fiber
optic cables to land in Hawaii, to create a robust broadband network in Hawaii, to
extend gigabit broadband to the entire state and to create an environment in Hawaii
for the global digital economy to thrive.
Currently, most of the trans-Pacific fiber projects are bypassing Hawaii. These cables
are crucial in enabling broadband service in Hawaii and keeping Hawaii connected and
competitive in the global marketplace.
Hawaii Broadband Initiative priorities include planning, designing, and construction of
a trans-Pacific fiber optic cable landing station using a public-private partnership
model.
Taking a holistic approach to the HBI, it is widely recognized that broadband touches
the community by providing the foundation for innovation, economic development,
healthcare, education, public safety, entertainment, etc. through the entire continuum
of broadband connectivity including:
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1. Transpacific fiber optic cable and carrier neutral fiber landing station
2. Terrestrial backhaul to connect subsea cables to data centers and aggregation
points on-island
3. Wireless broadband deployment including SG small cells
4. Inter-island fiber optic connectivity between the Hawaiian Islands
5. Rural broadband, last mile/first mile and community networks
6. Broadband application drivers: telehealth, big data, smart city, smart grid,
machine learning, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, augmented reality,
eSports, etc.
In March 2020, cases of COVID-19 virus were detected in our state, upending all that
residents knew as normal. Governor lge was joined by Mayors in mandating
restrictions and policies on operations, travel between islands, and working from home
policies. The drastic and sudden change required leaders and managers in
government, business, education, and nonprofits to expeditiously solve functions and
communications to achieve their objectives in a virtual mode.
With thousands forced to function from residences, workers relied on the quality of
their Internet connections for Zoom communications. Public and private education
scrambled to set up distance learning procedures and soon discovered that pockets of
students needed tailored solutions for access to hardware and to Wi-Fi. Health care
providers had a new reliance on connectivity to bridge isolated patients through
telehealth. Businesses who could remain open or tried to remain open looked to
Internet sales to shore up lost revenue. Nonprofits adjusted annual plans to effectively
serve their target populations virtually. Government relied on social media and
websites to keep constituents informed on the latest developments and procedures.
The common thread was broadband. The resulting solutions adopted underscored our
ongoing dependence on our broadband infrastructure. Previously considered an
amenity and not prioritized, broadband's efficacy in every aspect of our lives could not
be ignored.
DCCA and its BAAC members responded with an array of initiatives to aid those
stranded by inadequate or lack of Internet service. A Wi-Fi pilot evaluates the feasibility
and cost of providing residents with free internet access at government locations.
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Another designated 100 sites. Another tool to allows residents to report their home
wireline internet speeds to create a crowd-sourced map. To supplement federal and
other maps underserved or unserved areas, a map tool enables residents to pinpoint
locations of no Internet service.
The State's Broadband Strategy Officer in collaboration with the nonprofit
organizations Transform Hawaii Government and the Economic Development Alliance
of Hawaii began gathering an informal Hawaii Broadband Hui. Its initial focus centered
on broadband-related initiatives that would enable Hawaii to weather the impacts of
the pandemic, such as offers from providers to ease connectivity to students and
homes. The premise drew participation from more than 200 empowered leaders from
businesses including the carriers and providers; federal, state, and county levels of
government; public and private education; and nonprofits with community initiatives.
Themes that emerged from the discussions led to focus groups to delve deeper into
overcoming specific barriers to solutions. The Hui is also clarifying where community
investment is most needed to address digital equity among the residents of Hawaii.
Against this backdrop, the Hawaii Broadband Strategic Plan builds on the collaborative
energy and spirit of Hawaii's social capital to position Hawaii's economy for a stronger,
more resilient future.
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Strategic Goa Is and Actions
Hawai'i understands that advanced broadband services are essential infrastructure for an
innovation economy and a knowledge society in the 21st century. As a result of proactive policy
initiatives, Hawai'i residents and businesses throughout the State have access to advanced
broadband services of the caliber and at the pricing available in the leading developed nations
of the world.
Vision Statement
Hawaii Broadband Task Force
2008
Our ability to access, to connect our families to the world, to create jobs, to educate our
people, that's what's going to restore us. We can 't do this if we are not connected. This is
about the survival of Hawaii.
Jack Wong
CEO
Kamehameha Schools
Hawaii Broadband Hui meeting, August 19, 2020
It isn't usually until crisis or dramatic changes in society occur that risk and opportunity
lock steps. In the past decade there have been numerous attempts to lift the
opportunities and inequities of Internet access as a tool for new industry and
foundational infrastructure in modern economics for all of Hawaii. The advantages,
barriers, and opportunities have been documented and reported to hopefully inspire
the investments of capital, policies, and programing necessary to provide equity and
more in this high-speed communication world.
It would be good to recognize who can take advantage of high-speed access. The
answer is simple: Anyone and everyone who has access, the necessary tools, and
computer literacy. With open network protections, tool has no bias for the user. What
might the advancing of Hawaii's Broadband Initiative mean to a community that has
overall a higher tolerance and acceptance of differences in people? What might it
mean to a community that has lenses of creativity and innovation because of our
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limited natural resources and geographic isolation? What might it mean to a
community which is much more relational than transactional in culture? What might it
mean for a community that is risking boldly on a sustainability future and in so doing
inviting innovation? It opens, inspires, and elevates the brilliance within the people of
Hawaii.
The closing of pineapple production on Lanai in 1992-after 40 years of operation-
was devastating to a community whose entire economy was based on agriculture. The
pivot that was easiest and natural was to align with Hawaii's largest industry. It was
imperative that products or services to import dollars were needed to replace
pineapple for the people of Lanai and tourism was the chosen venture. For a
community who worked through four generations in pineapple it must have been a
difficult transition but, without any real options for their own economic sovereignty,
they shifted.
Like Lanai in 1992 we find ourselves at a crossroads of change. This time the risk can
be our own, the investments of ourselves can be leveraged to inspire others to join us
and instead of being a laboratory for others we can be a resource for other
laboratories. Broadband is our link to a future of greater resiliency and promise for
Hawaii's future.
The following goals, objectives, and strategies are a path for strengthening and
expanding broadband in Hawaii. It is timely for us to embrace the risk and tackle the
opportunity to support all the islands and residents of Hawaii.
GOAL 1 .. Ensure Robust Broadband Infrastructure to All Hawaii
Residents
Hawaii's unique island geography requires a wide range of infrastructure and
technologies to provide broadband connectivity both across the State and with the rest
of the world. With approximately 70% of Hawaii's residents living on Oahu, it is a
challenge for providers to create an economically viable market in the much less
densely populated areas of the islands outside of Oahu. Most of the areas of the State
without broadband service or service fall below the Federal Communications
Commission's definition of broadband and are on the islands outside of Oahu, i.e.,
Hawaii, Lanai, Molokai, Kauai, and Maui.
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In addition to emphasizing broadband as fundamental to life and business today
and to Hawai'i's future, the COVID-19 crisis also reiterated the digital divide by
highlighting disadvantages posed to those without Internet access. The
transition to remote work, virtual learning, and telehealth underscored the
importance of ensuring statewide access to affordable Internet and exposed
significant gaps in connectivity.
OBJECTIVE 1
Advance policies, programs and initiatives to public and/or private investment in
broadband infrastructure
• Identify and map specific infrastructure of rural communities across the State to
determine a more accurate understanding of need
• Reduce the costs and delays associated with permitting, regulatory, and acquisition
processes
• Create incentives and leverage public assets including rights of way, antenna siting,
easements, and joint pole agreements to attract infrastructure development for new
technology operations and applications
OBJECTIVE 2
Foster public/private partnerships to develop broadband infrastructure
• Identify opportunities and timing for joint development of new fiber facilities and
other critical broadband infrastructure
• Seek federal and other opportunities for funding of broadband infrastructure
• Continue to work with the First Responder Network Authority and its contractor to
efficiently utilize the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network for use by local
first responders and public safety agencies
• Leverage utility infrastructure for extending connectivity to underserved or unserved
areas
• Leverage cable franchise obligations for I-Net, especially dedicated fiber to public
facilities
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OBJECTIVE 3
Increase transpacific submarine fiber connectivity
• Aggressively promote and create incentives for the landing of transpacific
submarine fiber optic cables
• Create carrier neutral, shared access, fiber-ready submarine cable landing stations
on each of the major islands to induce additional submarine fiber cable projects to
the State
OBJECTIVE 4
Secure broadband access sites on each island
• Make 10 gigabit symmetric services available on each island at designated research
centers and at technology development and commercialization centers
• Create broadband improvement zones on each island with access to broadband
services
• Coordinate infrastructure projects between the public and private sector to create
areas for deployment of broadband zones for businesses
• Attract open access landing stations to support bringing the capacity ashore
• Leverage existing State network assets especially Research and Education Networks
and public safety for all community anchors
• Foster inter-island connectivity to support the in-state distribution of capacity,
including resilience in this layer
• Create fully redundant and resilient fiber optic infrastructure and fiber rings on each
island
• Plan and develop dedicated network connections for every public facility and
community anchor institution that could serve as a disaster response or recovery
facility
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GOAL 2 :: Expand Digital Inclusion and Adoption to Achieve
Digital Equity
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance defines inclusion as the activities necessary to
ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have
access to and use of information and communication technologies.
Accurate estimates of statewide broadband inclusion and adoption rates in Hawaii in
general and home broadband adoption rates in particular are difficult because detailed
subscriber data is generally protected by providers. Based upon information that is
available, it is estimated that overall State broadband adoption is between 70-80%,
with home broadband adoption falling within the middle of that range. During COVID
however, significant gaps emerged especially as schools scrambled to erect distance
learning channels, businesses worked to implement work-from-home practices, and
social services attempted to meet the demands of clients remotely.
Hawaii is challenged by several barriers to broadband inclusion and adoption.
Insufficient data on the availability and coverage of broadband especially in remote
areas. The business case for providing broadband is not sufficient to justify
infrastructure investment, unless supplemented by federal or other grants. Cost or
affordability of services and the lack of financial resources to purchase a service plan or
a desktop, laptop or other devices underscore the challenge of the digital divide. Even
if costs and coverage barriers are addressed, digital illiteracy prevents maximum
benefit from broadband access to those unserved or underserved.
OBJECTIVE 1
Identify and remove barriers to access and adoption to unserved and underserved
• Continue to convene the Hawaii Broadband Hui to regularly identify barriers to
broadband access statewide and develop solutions to overcome them
• Enable community access to connectivity 24/7 /365 at public schools and colleges,
libraries, fire stations, and other community anchor institutions
• Ensure connectivity and devices to all students and teachers to bridge digital divide
• Support public, private and community training programs that promote digital
literacy, including teachers and families
• Leverage community anchor networks between each public/community facility
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• Leverage the cable franchise I-Net obligation to underserved areas
• Secure and maintain relevant demographic data on target populations
OBJECTIVE 2
Address affordability for income-limited households
• Identify all Lifeline eligible residents and develop consumer information to enlist
more low-income residents in those programs
• Develop and implement provider and consumer incentives to address last mile
installation and/or service plans
• Enlist employers to help identify and meet affordability needs of their employees to
support a telework environment
• Support recycling, refurbishment, and reuse of computers and other devices
OBJECTIVE 3
Conduct public awareness and outreach of broadband as a basic need
• Emphasize broadband as a basic need for community and economic wellbeing
including education, health care, governance, and communications to policy makers
• Enlist the Hawaii Broadband Hui and other community-based groups to
communicate broadband as a basic need
• Tailor public awareness and outreach to least served populations and geography
with consideration for linguistic, cultural, generational, and literacy challenges
• Collaborate with state libraries to augment public awareness initiatives to
underserved and unserved
• Incorporate value of connectivity as means to stay connected with culture and to
protect the environment
OBJECTIVE 4
Secure resources to sustain digital inclusion solutions
• Leverage public, private, nonprofit, and community collaborations to provide
funding and in-kind support for digital inclusion
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• Emphasize digital equity and inclusion through digital literacy messaging to address
e.g. accessibility, linguistic, cultural, generational, and literacy challenges in seeking
resources
GOAL 3 :: Enable Hawaii to Thrive through a Digital Economy
Broadband is fundamental to life and business today. It is the retail operation instantly
transmitting sales to its bank account. It is a visitor reserving a hotel stay. It is the
orthopedic surgeon accessing a patient's X-ray instantly from the diagnostic lab. It is
the telescope operator of a defense contractor capturing images of objects in space. It
is the utility precisely balancing energy demands of residential and commercial
customers. It is a researcher uncovering a technology breakthrough through
visualization.
Seemingly overnight, the coronavirus upended how we functioned. The effects were
devastating on the state's economy. Jobs transitioned from in situ to teleworking from
home, classrooms pivoted to virtual learning, and telehealth replaced in-office visits.
COVID-19 brought into sharp focus Hawaii's broadband capability-or lack of it-as
the state and the counties sought effective responses to the prolonged economic
challenge.
We cannot survive without continuing to invest in broadband. Our island economy and
all of its sectors can only recover and then thrive by enhancing, expanding, and
building on our broadband infrastructure. The World Economic Forum Global Future
Council estimates that "70% of new value created in the economy over the next
decade will be based on digitally enabled platform business models" and reinforces
the role of broadband to create new opportunities that improve the economic and
social well-being of Hawaii's residents.
OBJECTIVE 1
Empower DBEDT's Broadband and Digital Equity Office to achieve economic
development goals in broadband
• Create a Broadband and Digital Equity Office in the Department of Business
Economic Development and Tourism to pursue the economic objectives and realize
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the opportunities of broadband
• Collaborate across state departments and agencies to advance broadband
objectives
• Coordinate with the Hawaii Broadband Hui on addressing economic development
challenges and opportunities for broadband
• Publicize Hawaii's broadband capabilities and related assets to attract
development, projects, and investment
• Secure demonstration projects that build on Hawaii's broadband infrastructure
• Assist broadband projects with navigating through the process of starting up or
expanding in Hawaii
• Annually survey small businesses statewide to assess their current practices and
needs re connectivity
• Develop a Broadband Dashboard to track progress and gaps that will inform
decision making in business development
• Leverage local media production and distribution assets to capitalize on digital
media as a broadband demand driver
OBJECTIVE 2
Leverage and bolster the ecosystem of broadband resources to diversify and create job
opportunities
• Tap accelerator programs and venture capitalists to target start up activities related
to broadband
• Expand workforce development preparation related to broadband careers
• Augment emerging technologies to ensure Hawaii's competitiveness in the
foreseeable future, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomous
vehicles, smart cities, big data analytics, augmented reality and e-Sports
• Plan for broadband infrastructure to support smart grid development that will
support Hawaii's 2045 r~newable energy goals
• Foster collaboration among public, private, and nonprofit organizations in support
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of broadband expansion, including community networks
• Track and strengthen capability to secure federal opportunities for funding
economic development opportunities related to broadband in the state
• Develop policies to ensure open secure networks that protect net neutrality and
consumer/worker privacy
• Address displaced workers through expanded telework opportunities
OBJECTIVE 3
Improve delivery of government services through robust broadband capabilities
• Facilitate innovation and technology transfer culture among government agencies
• Upgrade back-office functions and information technology infrastructure
• Expand broadband applications into the communications, teaching, learning, and
work environments
• Enable local first responders and public safety agencies to utilize the Nationwide
Public Safety Broadband Network through the First Responder Network Authority
• Support deployment of the Next Generation 9-1-1 /e911 (NG9-1-1) nationwide
emergency services system
• Develop and deploy tele-health applications to support health information
exchange, advanced diagnosis, consultation and treatment for residents
• Increase electronic access to all government records, services, and proceedings
• Increase use of social media and the Internet to communicate with citizens and
increase their participation in government
GOAL 4 ·· Strengthen Community Resiliency through
Broadband
As defined by the RAND Corporation, community resilience is the sustained ability of
a community to use available resources (energy, communication, transportation, food,
etc.) to respond to, withstand, and recover from adverse situations (e.g. economic
collapse to global catastrophic risks. This can only happen if systems are in place or
are created in times of peril and crises to connect individuals and groups and allow
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them to coalesce to meet collective needs. Broadband is essential to enabling that
interconnection.
The Hawaii Broadband Hui provides a model that has enabled and empowered
disparate individuals and groups to convene around the shared goal of finding
solutions to the devastation wrought by COVID. The weekly forum initially attended by
20 people has attracted more than 200 individuals, representing the private sector,
nonprofits, wireline and wireless carriers, and federal, state and county administrative
and legislative officials. Participants initiated projects and have found in-kind and
funding opportunities from forum colleagues. Subgroups have organically formed to
more efficiently dive into strategic solutions.
OBJECTIVE 1
Interconnect the functions and operations of public, private and community networks
• Establish and annually convene island-based collaborative planning teams of public,
private, and nonprofit stakeholders to address broadband resilience framework
• Annually assess current geographically specific conditions and risks and update
strategies that relate to broadband infrastructure including communications,
carrier/provider capabilities, recovery priorities
• Create community resilience plans and checklists for broadband for each island to
include components such as public awareness, training, hotspots, devices, and
partners
OBJECTIVE 2
Maximize open access and ensure timely connectivity to critical network infrastructure
during crises
• Leverage broadband capabilities to aid first responders, to coalesce community
networks, and to mobilize volunteer engagement
• Prioritize staffing and connectivity at community anchor institutions such as libraries,
community centers, schools, etc.
• Restore and maintain connectivity to business to protect the viability of businesses
and the livelihoods of residents
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Hawaii 1s Broadband Landscape
What is broadband? The term "broadband" has been defined in many ways
throughout the evolution of telecommunications technology. Today, it is generally
understood to refer to advanced telecommunications capability. More specifically,
broadband is defined as a data transmission service that enables end users
(government, business, schools, residents) to access the Internet and use a variety of
Internet applications at established speeds. The term "speed" is used to refer to the
amount of data that may be transmitted per second, i.e., the amount of a
telecommunication system's bandwidth that may be utilized by the end user to transmit
data. It is measured in two directions: the speed at which an end user can download
content from the Internet (the download or downstream speed) and the speed at which
an end user can upload content to the Internet (the upload or upstream speed).
This section provides a snapshot of the current broadband landscape across the State
including an overview of the State's existing telecommunications systems, a technical
overview of the distinct segments of physical infrastructure required, the types of
technology used to provide broadband connectivity in our island state, and the current
transpacific and interisland broadband infrastructure.
Broadband Infrastructure in the State
Hawaii's unique geography requires a wide range of infrastructure and technologies to
provide broadband connectivity both across the State and with the rest of the world.
As a multi-island, volcanic state in the middle of the Pacific, Hawaii must contend with
thousands of miles of ocean between it and the nearest continent, miles of deep ocean
channels separating its islands, soaring mountains, deep valleys, erupting volcanoes,
and thick tropical forests.
Economically feasible deployment of infrastructure to provide high-speed broadband
across this State, especially to low population density areas, presents a more
-15 -
formidable challenge than that faced by most states on the U.S. continent. Hawaii is
reliant upon often costly transpacific and interisland submarine fiber connectivity, and
intra-island solutions suitable for the mountainous and rugged volcanic terrain of our
islands.
To identify and address the State's broadband infrastructure hurdles, the separate
segments of physical infrastructure required, and the different technologies used to
provide connection in each, must be understood. This section first describes the
broadband systems used to provide most consumer Internet access in the State,
provides an overview of the four distinct segments of physical infrastructure required
for connectivity: (1) transpacific; (2) interisland; (3) intra-island; and (4) "last mile." It
includes the technologies used in each of the four segments, the current state of
technology, and the primary benefits and limitations of each in Hawaii at this time.
Although this Strategic Plan acknowledges the continuing, rapid advancements in
technology, it must address the infrastructure gaps and challenges, for the most part,
based upon the known current state of the technologies as discussed below.
Broadband Systems Overview
Several different types of technology systems are used to provide most consumer
Internet access in the State. With the exception of satellite, these systems or their
underlying technology are often used in combination to provide broadband services to
consumers in Hawaii. At a minimum, these systems almost always connect at some
point to a fiber-based system that forms the ",backbone" of a network and/or to fiber
optic cables that transport data out of the State. For this reason, as well as those noted
below under Wireless Technologies, this Plan assesses broadband deployment and
adoption of fixed terrestrial broadband (cable, DSL, fiber and microwave).
I
Wireline Technologies
• Coaxial/DOCSIS. A cable broadband system operates utilizing cable television
infrastructure. In Hawaii, cable system serves almost 400,000 cable television
subscribers statewide. A limitation of this system is that it carries less bandwidth
than fiber. However, evolving technologies to address bandwidth limitations
continue to allow cable operators to deploy higher data speeds over existing cable
networks.
• xDSL System. A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) system operates using wireline copper
-16 -
cable infrastructure. The primary advantage of this system is that it can provide
broadband service utilizing much of a provider's existing and widespread telephone
infrastructure. A limitation of this system is that it carries less bandwidth than fiber
and is distance sensitive. However, similar to improved cable system technologies
that allow for greater speeds, evolving technologies continue to increase DSL
speeds.
• Fiber System (fiber optic-based system). Fiber optic communications systems utilize
lasers to transmit light signals through fiber optic cables. Fiber optic cabling
provides superior performance because it can provide a much higher total
bandwidth than coaxial or copper cables and, in most cases, is limited only by the
performance of the equipment connecting to the fiber. Fiber is used for most
transpacific connectivity. It is also used in almost all of the various types of
telecommunications network systems operated in Hawaii to provide both the
interisland and on-island (terrestrial) "backbone" infrastructure. In addition, all of
the wireless carriers in Hawaii have the majority of towers and antennas connected
by fiber systems for traffic "backhaul" and are in the process of upgrading a
majority of these sites to fiber.
Wireless Technologies
• Terrestrial Microwave System (terrestrial microwave radio-based system). Terrestrial
microwave radio systems utilize high frequency radio waves to transmit broadband
signals. Microwave tends to be used for trunk connections rather than end-user
services. Because these radio waves only travel on a straight path, this system
requires a direct line of sight between antenna sites to function properly. For
economic reasons, certain providers and government agencies in Hawaii utilize, or
have utilized, terrestrial microwave systems for interisland connections and to
extend on-island broadband service to remote areas beyond the limits of their
existing wireline infrastructure.
The primary advantage to terrestrial microwave is that it may be less expensive to
deploy than wireline trunk solutions such as fiber, cable or copper. However,
microwave supports less bandwidth than fiber, may be difficult or expensive to
maintain given that microwave antennas are often placed on mountaintops, and
performance may degrade with certain weather conditions on the signal path. In
addition, Hawaii's rugged, mountainous terrain severely limits the availability of the
line of sight paths required.
-17 -
• Satellite Systems. Satellite systems use communications satellites for broadband
transmissions. The primary advantage to satellite technology is that it may reach
remote areas in Hawaii that clo not currently have access to any other type of
service. However, satellite service at comparable bandwidths is expensive and
requires subscribers to purchase costly equipment in order to receive service.
Moreover, satellite service performance in Hawaii is limited because, similar to
microwave systems, a direct line of sight is required between the communications
satellite and the dish antenna on the ground. Because most of the satellites are
currently positioned primarily for coverage over the continents, the line of sight to
these satellites is often low on the horizon and may be blocked by mountains and
structures. Also, the distance signals must travel to and from the satellite creates
inherent delays in the delivery of the signals. This latency may often result in data
loss during transmission; the inability to establish a secure connection, such as a
Virtual Private Network (VPN); or the inability to maintain a connection. Because of
these current limitations, satellite is not a viable option to provide widespread,
affordable, secure, reliable, high-speed broadband service in Hawaii at this time.
For this reason, this Plan excludes further discussion of satellite technology.
• Wireless Systems (cellular or mobile wireless systems). Wireless systems are
operated in Hawaii by major national and local wireless providers, and coverage is
fairly widespread in the populated areas across the State. As these systems use
shared radio resources, performance may be impacted by the number and activity
of subscribers utilizing the service at the same time. Wireless carriers continue to be
impacted by demands for higher bandwidth and new services, and the growing
mobility needs of their customers
Most of the major wireless providers provide 4G LTE technology to deliver faster
data speeds, although coverage is poor or nonexistent in various rural areas. Higher
speeds may be possible in the future such as SG is developed and deployed based
upon demand but is not expected to be prevalent in rural areas.
• Wide Area Wi-Fi Systems. Wireless wide area network (WWAN) systems are
networks designed to provide wireless service to large areas by connecting
separate wireless coverage areas (or cells) through the use of multiple outdoor
wireless routers, with the operator of a WWAN acting as a wireless Internet service
provider. These WWAN systems, which can be publicly and privately operated,
generally cover metropolitan areas and are growing significantly in number and
size.
-18-
Infrastructure Segments
Because of Hawaii's unique geography, four distinct segments comprise the
broadband infrastructure in the State: (1) trans-Pacific undersea cables; (2) interisland
undersea cables; (3) on-island (terrestrial) infrastructure; and (4) "last mile"
infrastructure.
• Transpacific Connectivity. Hawaii's broadband "lifeline" is transpacific connectivity,
achieved primarily through the use of costly submarine fiber optic cable to the
mainland U.S. and Asia. While transpacific telecommunications cables once needed
to land in Hawaii as a technological necessity, making Hawaii a crossroad for
transpacific telecommunications, advancements in submarine fiber optic technology
now allow transpacific crossings to bypass Hawaii and connect Asia and North
America directly 2009. There is no pending funded major transpacific system with
current plans to land in Hawaii. Concerns regarding the adequacy of bandwidth
available for out-of-state connectivity led the Broadband Task Force to recommend
that the State take steps to encourage new fiber system landings in Hawaii.
• New cables with landings in Hawaii are SEA-US (2017) and Hawaiki (2018). This new
capacity will be sufficient to serve Hawaii in the near future.
Nevertheless, the combination of increased costs coupled with the expected
exponential growth of demand for broadband capacity by both consumers and
businesses, means that a strategy to upgrade this segment of the State's
broadband infrastructure must be developed now. In addition, as the Asia market
and its accompanying telecommunication needs grow, including demand for co-
location services and back up services, some local telecom and data center
businesses suggest that, with some encouragement, Hawaii could become a
desired destination for such services. For this reason, the State has been asked to
include in its efforts activities to increase transpacific capacity in order to capitalize
on this future growth, and the State is in fact actively working on plans to do so.
Based upon available data on the costs of other similar transpacific cable projects
planned or completed, the cost to lay a cable from Hawaii to the mainland U.S. or
to Asia is estimated to be in the range of $250 million dollars. Because current
technology allows new transpacific fibers to bypass Hawaii.
• lnterisland Connectivity. Unlike mainland U.S. states that can easily extend
-19-
broadband infrastructure on poles or in conduits both intra-state and interstate,
Hawaii must cross ocean channels to connect its islands. Microwave systems
provide limited capacity where a provider does not have access to submarine fiber
connectivity, or in some cases purposely for path resilience, but submarine fiber is
currently and for the foreseeable future the only practical technology to enable
reliable, high speed broadband access to broadband subscribers on all islands.
There are currently three interisland cables connecting all of the major islands. The
largest risks with interisland fiber connectivity are in three main areas:
o Common cable landing locations for interisland cables (terminating in the same
or adjacent beach manholes)
o The age of the existing interisland cables (all but 1 were deployed in the 1990s)
and are approaching their useful service life
o Extremely high costs and permitting requirements in Hawaii to deploy new cable
landing
• On-Island Connectivity. Almost all of the telecommunications systems utilize fiber
optic cabling for their on-island backbone infrastructure to connect services
between electronics.
• "Last Mile" Connectivity. The term "last mile," also referred to as "first mile" from
a rural and indigenous community perspective, describes the infrastructure segment
that provides the final connection from a provider's central distribution point (e.g.,
neighborhood nodes or CO facility) to the subscriber's premises. The distance this
"last mile" covers may be less than 100 feet in urban areas, while in rural and
remote areas it may actually represent many miles. "Last mile" infrastructure is
often the most costly and difficult segment to deploy, especially for the rural areas
of the State where distances from a central distribution point are generally much
greater and population densities do not provide a sufficient market to support the
deployment.
Broadband Availability
The 2012 Legislature required providers to report the monthly price charged for
broadband service if purchased separately, without discounts. DCCA is required to
keep reported information confidential, except for mapping information required by
-20 -
DCCA's SBI grant and aggregated data. The reported data helps the State in its
efforts to more accurately determine the status of broadband access in the State.
Again, and as is generally recognized by government and industry, estimates on
coverage are at this time subject to limitations because available data is to a large
extent self-reported by providers, and is in many instances not maintained by providers
in the form and for the purposes of identifying areas of no coverage.
Unserved and Underserved Areas
Efforts are being made to accurately map unserved areas of the State, as well as
underserved Identification of unserved and underserved areas are the most
complicated to identify and normally the costliest to service.
For unserved areas, identification of the exact locations and potential subscribers pose
several challenges. Current subscribers of non-broadband services, such as voice or
cable are easily identifiable by their respective service providers. However, not every
current subscriber has a valid living address. In many cases, there is no postal delivery
service nor do some of the counties provide an address unless specifically requested
by the owner. There is also a proliferation of building structures in residential areas
erected without a building permit, which also makes identification through public
records unreliable. Determining the potential serving area and population density
therefore is understated and subsequently lessens the potential of service providers to
invest in an area.
Federal (FCC and USDA) identification of unserved and underserved areas only go
down to the census block level. Although this is an easy method for calculating
funding and potential locations in a given area nationwide, there are significant
variances at a local level which in some cases completely bypass areas needing of
investment. As an example, the federal government will not provide grant funding for
any census block where at least one location is determined to be serviced by
broadband. In an area of multiple square miles and several tens of unserved locations,
they will be completely bypassed because of a single customer.
The majority of locations in Hawaiian Homelands who are in unserved and underserved
areas are not eligible for any federal funding as the incumbent service provider is no
longer an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier. The following maps illustrate the
-21 -
disparity of access to Internet across communities of the state:
Estimated Percent of Households Without Internet
No Internet Access
~ 9%
9.1 -20%
-20.1-33%
-33.1-67%
Roads
s
0 10
Miles
-
HAWAII STATEWIDE ~!~
HAWAII STATE OFFICE OF PlANNING
This map was produced by the Office of Planning (OP) for planning purpo!.es only. It should not be used for boundary
interpretations or other spatial analysis beyond the hm1tat1ons of the data. Information regarding compilation dates
and accuracy of the data presented can be obtained from OP.
Map Noc 20201019-CC
Map Dalee 10/19/2020
Sources: U.S. Census 2014-2018
-22 -
Estimated Percent of Households Without Internet
No Internet Access
<:;9%
9.1 -20%
20.1-33%
-33.1 -67%
Roads
N W+E
s
0 5
Miles
-
HAWAII GTis
PROGRAM
HAWAII STATE OFFICE OF PLANNING
This map was produced by the Office of Planning (OP) for planning purposes only. It should not be used for boundary
interpretations or other spatial analysis beyond the hm1tat1ons of the data. Information regarding comp1lat1on dates
and accuracy of the data presented can be obtained from OP.
Map No, 20201019-CC
Map Date, 10/19/2020
Sources· U.S. Census 2014-2018
-23 -
Estimated Percent of Households Without Internet
No Internet Access
$9%
9.1-20%
-20.1-33%
-33.1-67%
Roads
N W+E
s 0 10
Miles
-
HAWAII STATEWIDE
Si!~
HAWAII STATE OFFICE OF PLANNING
Makena
KAHOOLAWE
Paia
ifulu
Ma
M
Kula
This map was produced by the Ofhce of Planning (OP) for planning purposes only. It should not be used for boundary
mterpretatlons or other spatial analys1s beyond the lim1tat1ons of the data. Information regarding compilation dates
and accuracy of the data presented can be obtained from OP.
Map No, 20201019-CC
Map Datec 10/19/2020
Sources: U.S. Census 2014·2018
-24 -
Estimated Percent of Households Without Internet
No Internet Access
~9%
9.1 -20%
-20.1 -33%
-33.1 -67%
Roads
N w+,
0 6
Miles
-
HAWAII STATEWIDE ~JR~
HAWAII STATE OFFICE OF PlANNING
~k,
Pupukea....______ Lare
This map was produced by the Othce of Planning (OP) for planning purposes only. It should not be used for boundnry
interpretations or other spatlal analysis beyond the limitations of the data. Information regarding compilation dates
and accuracy of the data presented can be obtained from OP.
Map No: 20201019-CC
Map Date: 10/19/2020
Sources: U.S. Census 2014-2018
-25 -
State Characteristics
This section provides a general overview of unique State characteristics relevant to
broadband deployment and adoption, and specific challenges Hawaii faces in
achieving ubiquitous high-speed broadband for all of its residents.
Geography and Environment
Hawaii's unique geography and environment create unique and difficult challenges for
the deployment and maintenance of broadband infrastructure. Hawaii is a volcanic
island state comprised of seven main populated islands (Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai,
Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii Island). It has a land mass of 6,422.6 square miles, which
makes it the fourth smallest state in the nation. Located in the middle of the Pacific
Ocean, it is the most isolated population center on Earth.
Distances from Hawaii
U.S. Mainland (California)
Japan
China
Australia
2,390 miles
3,850 miles
4,900 miles
5,070 miles
The State's six main populated islands are also separated by deep ocean channels of
up to 75 miles in distance. These measured distances between the islands and across
the Pacific, moreover, are shorter than the distance of the actual path submarine fiber
must take along the ocean floor. The long distances and the deep ocean channels
between islands, which are more than 10,000 feet deep at points, require specially
equipped ships and crews for cable deployment. However, the State has no
permanently stationed deep-sea cable laying ships capable of handling fiber optic
cables. This means that the deployment, maintenance, and emergency response
-26 -
related to deep ocean communication cables is costly and may beslow, particularly iri
response to emergency situations. Although repairs are not often needed, annual
maintenance contracts with undersea repair companies are necessary to ensure timely
restoration of service when a repair is needed. In addition, the State's geographic
isolation creates expense, difficulties, and delays in obtaining necessary supplies and
equipment from outside the State. These issues are exacerbated when any interruption
in transpacific transportation occurs, such as labor strikes affecting the airline and
ocean shipping industry.
Hawaii's surface terrain also present challenges for terrestrial communications
infrastructure in a variety of ways. Because the islands were formed by volcanoes, the
islands have perhaps the most diverse conditions in the world in a relatively small set of
land masses. Hawaii has several mountains that are between 10,000 and 14,000 feet
high from the depths of the ocean (Haleakala, Maui -10,023; Mauna Loa, Hawaii -
13,678; Mauna Kea, Hawaii -13,796). The islands also have many gulches and valleys
creating an uneven terrain that makes some areas inaccessible to land-based vehicles
or that restricts the size and weight of vehicles that may be used to transport people
and materials to deployment sites. Providers seeking to deploy and maintain
infrastructure must deal with everything from rocky moon-like landscapes to lush sub-
tropical forests to lava flows. In some rural and remote areas of the islands, providers
must also overcome the lack of commercial electricity.
Even the rainwater, soil, and ground itself present unique challenges in Hawaii.
Hawaii's low mineral content "soft water" and the chemical composition of soil in some
areas create conditions that make it difficult to ground equipment. In some cases, soil
conditioning is required to create appropriate grounding conditions. In addition, there
is the informally named "blue rock" found in the dense interior of old, thick lava flows.
The U.S. Geological Service notes: "Blue rock" is the bane of contractors, especially
road builders and pipeline installers, because it is difficult to break. The largest
bulldozers and backhoes are regularly humbled by this dense rock, causing contractors
to revert to expensive drilling and blasting techniques."
While lava flows are perhaps the most spectacular and most publicized threat, there
are other threats, both big and small, that create issues for designing, deploying, and
maintaining a communications infrastructure. Hawaii is subject to an annual hurricane
season from June to November of each year. Hurricane lwa passed through the islands
of Niihau, Kauai, and Oahu with wind gusts of over 100 mph in 1982. Ten years later,
Hurricane lniki, the most powerful recorded hurricane to strike the Hawaiian Islands,
-27 -
caused nearly $2 billion dollars of damage in 1992. It was classified as a Category 4
hurricane with winds of up to 145 mph.
Hawaii has seen large scale damage and loss of life from tsunamis in 1946, 1952, 1957,
1960, and 1975. It has also been threatened by tsunamis in recent times because of
massive earthquakes in Chile (2010) and Japan (2011 ). Large earthquakes are another
threat. The most recent was a 6.7 magnitude earthquake that occurred on the west
coast of Hawaii Island on October 15, 2006, which caused property damage and large-
scale power outages. Saltwater may not have the visual impact of lava flows and
tsunamis, but over time, its presence results in corrosion damage to galvanized
equipment in locations near the ocean. These areas thus generally require the use of
more costly equipment fabricated from stainless steel.
Population Demographics
Between 2014 and 2018, Hawaii's average population was 1,422,029. This population
was highly concentrated on the island of Oahu, where approximately 70% of the
population resided. The remaining 30% of the population was spread throughout the
rest of the State. Hawaii also has a large visitor population because of its significant
tourism industry. It is estimated that in 2018 Hawaii had an average of 240,341 visitors
present in the State per day, and 9,761,448 visitors in 2018 who stayed overnight or
longer. The State's four counties are roughly designated by island:
• County of Kauai (the islands of Kauai and Niihau)
• City and County of Honolulu (the island of Oahu)
• County of Maui (the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai)
• County Hawaii (the island of Hawaii)
The 2014-2018 average population density by county and by island is as follows:
-28 -
Resident population and population density by county and island,
2014-2018 average
-
Population
County and: Resident Land Area Density
Island [ Population : (s9miles) (per sq mile)
State Total 1,422,029 6,422.63 221.4 ·----
County
-··•--.,·-···---··----------··---·-
Honolulu 987,638 600.74 1,644.0
Hawaii 197,658 4,028.42 49.1
Maui 1/ 165,356 1,173.51 140.9
Kauai 71,377 619.96 115.1
--··------·-·----
Island
·-------
Oahu 987,638 597.64 1,652.6
Hawaii 197,658 4,028.42 49.1
Maui 155,707 771.99 201.7
Lanai 2,826 141.07 20.0
Molokai 6,823 260.46 26.2
Kauai 71,377 552.35 129.2
Niihau 2/ 67.60 2/
1/ Includes Kalawao County, whose 2014-2018 average population was 75.
2/ No population estimates are available for the 2014-2018 time period. The 2010
decennial census population was 170, with a population density of 2.5.
For the period between the years 2000 and 2010, the County of Hawaii experienced
the largest annual average growth followed by the County of Maui. That pattern held
between 2010 and 2018:
-29 -
Average annual growth for the State of Hawaii and its counties
City and County Maui
of Hawaii Kauai County
Period State Total . Honolulu County County 1/
1990-2000 0.9 0.4 2.1 1.3 2.4
2000-2010 1.2 0.9 2.2 1.4 1.9
2010-2018 0.5 0.3 1.0 0.9 1.0
Approximately 92% of the State's population (1,250,408 persons) live in the roughly 5%
of the State's land area designated as urban.
The State Land Use Commission has classified the State's land area for use as follows:
Urban Use
Rural Use
Agricultural Use
Conservation Use
4.8%
0.3%
46.9%
48%
Hawaii has a very multi-ethnic and multiracial population, which reflects a large
immigrant population from Asia and the South Pacific. Between 2014-2018, the racial
makeup was as follows:
Race alone from 2014-2018
American Community Survey
10.1 % Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
25.0% White
37.8% Asian
24.0% Two or more races
3.1 % Some other race
-30 -
Race alone or in combination with other races from 2014-2018
American Community Survey
43.1%
56.5%
26.2%
8.4%
White or part-White
Asian or part-Asian
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, part-Hawaiian or
part-Pacific Islander
Some other race or races
State's Role 1n Cable TV, Land Use Regulation and
Education
Hawaii's state government plays a major role in areas that are carried out by counties
or municipalities in most, if not all, of the other U.S. states: cable TV, land use
regulation, and education. Land use in Hawaii is the most regulated of all the fifty
states. Providers seeking to deploy broadband infrastructure must contend with layers
of permitting and approvals at both the State and county levels. According to many
providers, the State and county permitting and approval processes for infrastructure
deployment can take years, even for upgrades to existing infrastructure. For this
reason, the streamlining of permitting and approval processes is of even greater import
in this State than others.
Hawaii is also unique in that it is the only state with a single public school district
encompassing the entire State. This system, administered through a State Department
of Education (DOE) by an appointed State Board of Education, was created to ensure
that each public school in the State has access to the same level of resources and
support. For broadband adoption, this unified system can create advantages in the
implementation of programs across the State and disadvantages because of the limited
financial resources of the DOE that must be spread across all schools for
implementation of such programs.
Limited Competition
Hawaii's remote location and relatively small market has resulted in limited competition
in broadband service providers and transpacific backhaul providers. Two providers
-31 -
dominate the residential market:
• Spectrum, the incumbent cable television provider, with approximately
288,000 subscribers and
• Hawaiian Telcom, the State's primary Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier
(ILEC), with approximately 105,000 subscribers
The State has a number of small providers that offer broadband services, in addition to
the wireless carriers. These include companies that own and operate a wireless metro
Oahu broadband network providing both middle mile and last mile connectivity. Many
smaller companies are able to offer broadband service using Hawaiian Telcom's,cables
and/or collocation space in their central offices, because Hawaiian Telcom is required
to open up and unbundle their network for other providers to use.
Hawaii also has few transpacific and interisland cable operators that provide
connectivity between islands and to points outside of the State. The limited
competition between providers presents fewer options for Hawaii consumers and may
impact the costs of the broadband services that they can receive.
Characteristics Specific to Each County.
City and County of Honolulu
The City and County of Honolulu, which is the smallest in land area of the four counties
with approximately 600.74 square miles of land area, is home to about 70% of the
State's total population. This county encompasses the island of Oahu. The island has
two mountain ranges, separated by a vast central plain. A large portion of the island's
population lives in this central plain and in the coastal areas. Because of the population
density on this island, it has been economically feasible to build out broadband
infrastructure in virtually all areas on the island, except for a very few sparsely
populated areas. Between 2014-2018, 91 % of households had a computer and 85.3%
had a broadband Internet subscription.
The following table reflects the resident population for the county and by district, and
the percentage change between 2005-2009 and 2014-2018.
-32 -
Resident Population and Population Change
for 2005-2009 and 2014-2018, Honolulu County
District 2005-2009 population 2014-2018 Population Percent Change
State total 1,280,241 1,422,029
Honolulu County 902,564 987,638
Honolulu 374,567 401,549
Koolaupoko 113,230 112,189
Koolauloa 18,923 20,738
Waialua 13,812 13,442
Wahiawa 35,327 44,706
Waianae 42,771 50,127
Ewa 303,934 344,887
Between 2014-2018, the county's racial makeup was as follows:
9.5%
21.0%
42 .5%
23 .5%
3.5 %
Race alone from 2014-2018
American Community Survey
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
White
Asian
Two or more races
Some other race
Race alone or in combination with other races from 2014-2018
American Community Survey
White or part-White
Asian or part-Asian
11 .1
9.4
7.2
-0.9
9.6
-2.7
26.5
17.2
13.5
38.5%
61.2%
24.9% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, part-Hawaiian or
part-Pacific Islander
8.9% Some other race or races
The median age was 37 .6 years old. Children under 18 made up 21.4% of the
population, and 16.9% of the population was 65 years and older. About 34% of the
population aged 25 years and older had a Bachelor's degree or higher. The
percentage of people in poverty was 8.7%.
-33 -
County of Maui
The County of Maui is comprised primarily of the three populated islands of Maui, Lanai,
and Molokai. It is the second largest county in size, with approximately 1,161.52 square
miles of land area. Maui County's population comprises about 12% of the State's total
population. Between 2014-2018, 90% of households had a computer and 83% had a
broadband Internet subscription.
During the period between 2005-2009 and 2014-2018, Maui County's population
increased around 16%, with Wailuku and Lahaina experiencing the largest population
gains and Hana experiencing the largest population losses.
District
State total
Maui County
Hana
Makawao
Wailuku
Lahaina
Lanai
Molokai
Kalawao
Resident Population and Population Change
for 2005-2009 and 2014-2018, Maui County
; 2005-2009 population . 2014-2018 population
1,280,241 1,422,029 . ··---·-·---------··---·-··· i 142,274 ' 165,356
2,267 1,642
41,316 43,846
69,034 86,986
19,367 23,233
2,868 2,826
7,344 6,748
78 75
Maui County includes Kalawao County
Between 2014-2018, the county's racial makeup was as follows:
Race alone from 2014-2018
American Community Survey
. Percent change
11.1
16.2
-27.6
6.1
26.0
20.0
-1.5
-8.1
-3.8
11.1 % Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
35.5% White
29.2% Asian
22.2% Two or more races
2.1 % Some other race
-34 -
Race alone or in combination with other races from 2014-2018
American Community Survey
52.9%
46.6%
25.9%
6.3%
White or part-White
Asian or part-Asian
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, part-Hawaiian or
part-Pacific Islander
Some other race or races
The median age was 41.1 years old. Children under 18 made up 22% of the
population, and 17% of the population was 65 years and older. Of the population
aged 25 years and older, 26.5% had a Bachelor's degree or higher. The percentage of
people in poverty was 9.7%.
Island of Maui. Maui is the third most populated island and the second larg~st of the
Hawaiian Islands. Maui's population is concentrated along the coastal areas, and on an
interior plain (the isthmus or "neck" area) that separates the two volcanic mountains
that make up the island. This interior plain, along with most of the coastal areas, are
readily accessible and have widespread broadband connectivity. However, there are
very remote areas on Maui on the slopes of the volcanic mountains or in isolated
coastal areas to which it is very difficult to extend broadband infrastructure.
Island of Molokai. Molokai, the fifth largest of the Hawaiian Islands, is sparsely
populated with less than 7,000 residents. This island has a mountain range that spans
most of the north coast as it drops dramatically to the sea. Kalaupapa Settlement is on
this northern coast. The island has a populated central plain area, but the remainder of
the population is spread out over the island. Existing broadband infrastructure primarily
runs along the highways. The relatively small population makes it a difficult business
case to extend the current broadband infrastructure to more residents.
Island of Lanai. Lanai is a small island that is only 140 _square miles. One individual
privately owns 98% of the island, with the remaining 2% owned by the State of Hawaii.
The island consists of a central mountain range that radiates out to the coast, much like
Kauai, but on a much smaller scale. Formerly an island-wide pineapple plantation,
Lanai is home to a under 3,000 residents.
Because of its plantation legacy, most of the population is located in one area in the
central part of the island, making it relatively easy to provide broadband service for
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most of the residents. However, the remaining low density of residents living outside of
this central area makes it very costly to provide service to those residents.
County of Hawaii
The County of Hawaii encompasses the island of Hawaii and is the largest of the four
counties in area, with approximately 4,029 square miles of land area. It is the second
most populated county with approximately 14% of the State's population. Between
2014-2018, 86% of households had a computer and about 75% had a broadband
Internet subscription. There are concentrated population centers on the east and west
side of the island. However, with more land area than all of the other islands combined,
most of the island has a very low population density. The island is dominated by two
massive volcanic mountains in the center of the island. With some of the most active
volcanoes in the world, it has had frequent lava flows as well as 89 earthquakes with a
magnitude of 5.0 or greater between 197 4 and 2019.
Providing island-wide broadband infrastructure is very challenging because of these
active volcanoes, the very rugged lava rock terrain, the low population density, and the
long distances between scattered, isolated pockets of homes. The bulk of the island's
infrastructure must be placed "in the air" on utility poles. This places the infrastructure
at risk with vehicular accidents and during catastrophes such as hurricanes, thus
creating a strong need for backhaul network redundancy. Currently, however, the
inability to traverse the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park prevents a true fiber ring
around the island. There are two off-island cable landing paths near Kawaihae Harbor
in West Hawaii. This is of concern because a natural catastrophe affecting that area,
such as a hurricane or tsunami, would place the island's off-island connectivity at risk,
and thus may impact advanced broadband service offerings.
Hawaii County participated in a federal pilot project that provided wireless broadband
based on 4G LTE technology for research and public safety applications. During the
period between 2005-2009 and 2014-2018, Hawaii County's population increased
around 11 %, with Puna experiencing the greatest population gains and Hilo
experiencing the greatest population losses.
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Resident Population and Population Change
for 2005-2009 and 2014-2018, Hawaii County
District 2005-2009 population 2014-2018 population Percent change
State total 1,280,241 1,422,029
Hawaii County 172,370 197,658 -
Puna 33,975 46,768
South Hilo 55,437 52,936,
North Hilo 1,755 1,510
Hamakua 6,431 6,672
North Kohala 5,161 6,045
South Kohala 16,693 19,855
North Kona 37,703 43,631
South Kona · 8,565 10,768
Kau 6,650 9,473
Between 2014-2018, the county's racial makeup was as follows:
Race alone from 2014-2018
American Community Survey
12.4% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
33.5% White
22.5% Asian
28.7% Two or more races
2. 9% Some other race
Race alone or in combination with other races from 2014-2018
American Community Survey
White or part-White
Asian or part-Asian
11.1
14.7
37.7
-4.5
-14.0
3.7
17.1
18.9
15.7
25.7
42.5
55.4%
43.3%
33.4% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, part-Hawaiian or
part-Pacific Islander
8.2% Some other race or races
The median age was 42.3 years old. Children under 18 made up 21.9% of the
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population, and 19.3% of the population was 65 years and older. Of the population 25
years and older, 29.5% had a Bachelor's degree or higher. The percentage of people
in poverty was 16.6%.
County of Kauai
The County of Kauai consists of the oldest islands of Kauai and Niihau. It has
approximately 619.96 square miles of land area and is home to 5% ofthe State's
population. Between 2014-2018, about 89% of households had a computer and
around 81 % of households had a broadband Internet subscription.
The island of Kauai consists of large mountain ranges in the central part of the island
that radiate out to the shoreline areas. Most of the population is distributed along the
coast and in towns that were formerly the center of sugar plantations, surrounded by
fertile land. Because of the mountainous terrain, most of the broadband infrastructure
is concentrated along the coastal and interior highways, which is where most of the
population is distributed. However, this mountainous terrain makes it difficult to build
out broadband infrastructure to·reach several rural areas.
During the period between 2005-2009 and 2014-2018, Kauai County's population
increased around 11 %, with Li hue experiencing the largest population gain and
Hanalei experiencing the largest population loss.
Resident Population and Population Change
for 2005-2009 and 2014-2018, Kauai County
District , 2005-2009 population 2014-2018 population Percent change
State total 1,280,241 1,422,029 11.1
·-·.
Kauai County 63,033 71,377 13.2
Hanalei 6,684 6,232 -6.8
Kawaihau 19,890 21,480 8.0
Lihue 14,551 18,272 25.6
Koloa 13,702 15,820 15.5
Waimea 8,206 9,573 16.7
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Between 2014-2018, the county's racial makeup was as follows:
9.0%
32.5%
34.0%
22.6%
1.8%
Race alone from 2014-2018
American Community Survey
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
White
Asian
Two or more races
Some other race
Race alone or in combination with other races from 2014-2018
American Community Survey
49.4%
51.3%
24.8%
5.4%
White or part-White
Asian or part-Asian
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, part-Hawaiian
or part-Pacific Islander
Some other race or races
The median age was 42.4 years old. Children under 18 made up 22% of the
population, and about 19% of the population was 65 years and older. About 30% of
the population 25 years and older had a Bachelor's degree or higher. The percentage
of people in poverty was 8.8%.
Island of Niihau. The County of Kauai also includes the privately-owned island of
Niihau, which had a population of 170 in the 2010 decennial census. At 18 miles long
and 3 to 6 miles wide (70 square miles), it is the smallest of the populated Hawaiian
Islands. The highest point on the island is 1,280 feet. Niihau has no paved roads,
indoor plumbing, cars, stores, restaurants, or health or public safety officials. The State
Department of Education (DOE) supports Niihau School, which is located near the
village of Puuwai. Although electrical power is available at the school from a
photovoltaic system, no Internet or email system is available to Niihau School.
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