The University of Hawaiʻi Broadband Office
The University of Hawaiʻi Broadband Office (UHBO), housed within the UH ITS department, is responsible for overseeing the deployment of $149.5 million in BEAD federal funds. Additionally, under the leadership of Hawaii Governor Josh Green, M.D., and Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, UHBO is coordinating Connect Kākou, a statewide initiative to ensure equitable access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet for all residents.
University of Hawaiʻi Broadband Office Team
Garret Yoshimi, Broadband Director and VPIT/CIO of the University of Hawaiʻi
gyoshimi@hawaii.edu
Susan Hirai, State Broadband Grant Program Coordinator
hirais@hawaii.edu
Sara Lin, Broadband Communications Specialist
linsara@hawaii.edu
Kiman Wong, Broadband Infrastructure Architect
kiman@hawaii.edu
Micah Chao, Broadband Data Specialist
sungyanc@hawaii.edu
Krystal Lopez, Broadband Research Analyst
kllopez@hawaii.edu
Heewon Kwon, Broadband Outreach and Community Engagement Specialist
hkwon7@hawaii.edu
Hawaiʻi Broadband and Digital Equity Office
The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) – Hawaiʻi Broadband and Digital Equity Office (HBDEO) holds a leading role in digital equity and literacy efforts in the state. HBDEO currently leads the Digital Equity Act programs in the State (i.e., State Digital Equity Planning and Capacity grants), in addition to Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) enablement. HBDEO produced the State’s Digital Equity Plan, fulfilling the BEAD Program requirement for a State Digital Equity Plan, which details a plan supporting community-centric digital equity solutions and ensuring that our residents and covered populations have the necessary digital skills to use the Internet successfully.
To learn more, visit the HBDEO website.
The Broadband Hui
As part of their efforts, HBDEO, in collaboration with the Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii and Transform Hawaiʻi Government, established the Broadband Hui as a grassroots effort in March 2020 during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, to find solutions to digital inequity across Hawaiʻi. Over the last three years, over 200 individuals representing these entities participated:
- wireline and wireless carriers,
- federal, state, and county legislative and administrative leaders,
- local, national, and international non-profits,
- public and private schools, universities,
- and private businesses
This diverse group of participants continues to convene weekly to offer solutions and discuss opportunities and challenges faced by those in the community. Visit the Broadband Hui webpage for the most recent meeting agendas and recordings of previous meetings.
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
The Broadband Team at the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) works to ensure households and businesses on Hawaiian Home Lands have access to phone and internet services that are affordable, fast and reliable. We advocate on behalf of DHHL lessees and coordinate with telecommunications service providers. Additionally, we are developing programs that will help DHHL beneficiaries learn digital skills and acquire digital devices, enabling them to fully utilize the Internet for healthcare, jobs, education, and other essential services. We receive funding for many of our activities from state and federal programs that support telecommunications access for rural and tribal communities.
To learn more or contact us, visit: https://dhhl.hawaii.gov/broadband/
Counties
The Counties have been and are a pivotal part of the Broadband effort in tailoring the outreach and broadband plan for all the unique context and needs of the counties.
- City and County of Honolulu: Office of Economic Revitalization
- County of Hawai’i: Research & Development
- County of Kaua’i: Office of Economic Development
- County of Maui: Maui Nui Broadband