Hawaii to get nearly $6M to provide high-speed internet access ‘for all’ – Hawaii News Now

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii is slated to get $5.6 million in new federal funding to provide high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved communities.
“I’m especially pleased that this funding includes support for broadband access in Native Hawaii communities through the department of Hawaiian Homelands,” said Gov. David Ige, at a news conference Wednesday.
“In addition half a million dollars is set aside for digital equity efforts to insure Hawaii residents of all backgrounds have the skills needed to succeed in a new digital economy.”
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, applauded the grant funding.
“Everyone in Hawaii should have access to high-speed internet,” Schatz said.
“This funding will allow us to expand broadband infrastructure across the state, and help make sure families and small businesses can get affordable, dependable broadband service.”
The funding comes from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which expands high-speed internet through planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs.
Officials said the funding will be used to identify unserved and underserved households, expand the state broadband office, support the Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism’s efforts to better understand barriers for unserved and underserved communities.
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