State to receive $72M to expand internet access, digital literacy for Native Hawaiians

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Biden-Harris Administration announced Tuesday that it is awarding the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands more than $72 million to expand high-speed internet access and digital literacy for Native Hawaiians.
The grant will fund state internet infrastructure deployments and internet adoption projects to connect unserved Native Hawaiian households to high-speed internet service.
Ultimately, the goal is to provide Native Hawaiian with essential resources to participate fully in the digital economy, including access to telehealth services, remote education, and job training.
“Coming out of the struggles of the pandemic, we realized connectivity and reliable internet is not just something hat is nice to have, but it’s a necessity. Whether it is for online learning. Whether it is for opportunity to work from home, but in rural communities, even healthcare access depends on reliable internet,” Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke said.
Infrastructure activities include:
Benefitting significantly from the money will be some of the most rural homestead communities, much like the ones represented by State Senator Lynn DeCoite in District 7.
She said even for areas with existing internet infrastructure, it is aged, unreliable and never performed as it should have.
“As today, they still operate as if it was dial-up. And the complaints have fallen on deaf ears which is why I’m really happy that this funding is there because then it’ll allow for these areas that have been so challenged on having access to service as well as, you know, being able to say, ‘Okay my service isnt working up to speed. Why is that?’” she said.
Adoption and use activities include of the funding also include:
“This $72 million grant is about more than just connectivity. It’s about opening doors to opportunity through education, employment and access to healthcare and other essential services. It’s about ensuring our keiki have every opportunity to succeed and it’s about making sure our Kupuna have assistance staying in touch with left ones and connecting to essential services,” DHHL Deputy Director Katie Lambert said.
The funding comes from the nearly $3 billion Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, which is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All Initiative.
“The project goes beyond merely laying fiber to the homes. It’s about connecting people, closing gaps, and opening new doors for opportunities for indigenous communities. For too long, indigenous communities have been on the wrong side of the digital divide,” Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce Doug Kinkoph said.
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