Hawaii governor Josh Green joined federal officials to announce the release of $115.5 million in American Rescue Plan’s Capital Project Funds to expand broadband in Hawaii.
“The pandemic showed that there are access disparities in Hawaii, to affordable and reliable internet service,” Green said during a news conference. “I thank President Biden and his administration for providing federal resources to help our state improve internet access for all residents. High-speed internet is critical for education, telehealth services, job opportunities, and information.”
According to a release, the University of Hawaii and the Department of Budget and Finance submitted a CPF grant plan to the U.S. Department of Treasury in the Fall of 2022 for review. The plan consisted of programs to develop broadband infrastructure and provide broadband connectivity in state public housing facilities.
“Connectivity is no longer a modern-day convenience, but instrumental in our daily lives, and we must secure internet access for all,” Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke said.
Reinforcing Hawaii’s aging broadband pipelines will “provide the foundation for future decades that will see increasing demand for internet access,” UH Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Garret Yoshimi said.
The University of Hawaii has traditionally been a leader in broadband research. “UH has led in bringing broadband connectivity in Hawaii for decades, from bringing the very first internet connections to Hawaii to making Hawaii the first in the nation with fiber optic connectivity to every one of our public schools, public libraries, and public higher education sites,” UH President David Lassner said. “We are incredibly proud to now be the only institution of higher education to lead these vital next steps of developing the broadband infrastructure so critical today to work, education, healthcare and economic vitality for our entire state.”
To find out more about how these funds will be used, visit the University of Hawai‘i Broadband page here: https://www.hawaii.edu/broadband/