Hawaii Gov. David Ige recently announced that he will focus on strengthening the state’s broadband capability and expanding service to rural areas during his State of the State address, according to the Maui News.
Ige hopes that this expansion will help expand Hawaii’s digital capability and boost the state’s economy.
This announcement comes as the state is still reeling from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The state has suffered some of the sharpest declines in the nation in terms of job losses and economic activity.
The governor emphasized the state’s need to diversify its economy and move away from being dependent on the tourism industry, which was battered during the pandemic, and feels that Hawaii’s pivot to a digital economy would help bolster the state’s economic resilience.
“That’s why, in the wake of the pandemic, I am calling for the creation of a plan of action to not just reboot but to upgrade our economy,” Ige said. “To create a Hawaii 2.0, if you will.”
The governor said that he will focus on working to expand broadband services to rural areas. A State Department of Transportation pilot program will use federal funds, along with state and private resources to extend broadband coverage to rural areas including Hana, Puna, Ka’u, Nanakuli, Wai’anae, Waimanalo, Kalihi and Kapa’a.
Ige said that this year's legislative package will include a bill to create a new Broadband and Digital Equity Office which will oversee the state's digital expansion efforts and ensure that Hawaii receives its share of $7 billion in new federal funds for broadband infrastructure and digital equity programs.
“We’ve been here before. In the 1970s, agriculture by itself couldn’t relieve us of our addiction to tourism. Neither will technology in the 21st century — not by itself,” Ige said. “But it can be used to support a multi-pronged approach toward greater diversification — even as we move to get tourism back on its feet.”