Students Take Initiative in Mapping Hawaii’s Telecom Infrastructure
As the race to connectivity is underway across the United States, Hawaii has taken an approach to getting its residents involved through Connect Kākou, “a State of Hawaiʻi initiative…working to ensure that every resident of Hawai’i has access to broadband Internet – plus the skills and devices they need to use the Internet”.
Through this program, Connect Kākou prompted residents to take a simple 30-second internet speed test back in October 2024. This was done to collect valuable telecom data that, in turn, would ensure federal funding is allocated to areas of the islands that need it the most.
Students across the Hawaii Department of Education and public charter middle schools took part in the initiative to learn about digital equity while participating in the strengthening of Hawaii’s telecom infrastructure data..
A Brief History
Hawaii recognized early on the importance of communication across its islands and with the mainland. The Mutual Telephone Company, later known as Hawaiian Telecom, was founded in 1883 as Hawaii’s first telephone service. Over the years, numerous technologies have been invested in improving connections across the state and the Pacific Ocean, enabling Hawaii to be dubbed the communications hub of the Pacific.
Hawaii was first connected to the United States mainland by submarine cable in 1989, with a later increase of fiber investment beginning in 2010. Since then, Hawaii has been working on getting the entirety of its residents connected.
Simple Project, Meaningful Data
Thousands of students and teachers participated in Digital Detectives, collecting a massive amount of Hawaii’s telecom infrastructure data. With the data collected, the construction of fiber-optic internet lines will be able to be targeted towards areas that need it most.
Moreover, Classes from Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School on Oʻahu and Kona Pacific Charter School were awarded the Digital Detectives Super Sleuth Awards for high student engagement and participation. The honors included a visit from Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, along with gift cards to purchase classroom supplies.
Connect Kākou To Move to Phase 3
Phases One and Two of Connect Kākou involved public input, planning, and implementation of plans for digital opportunity and literacy. With the recent mapping of Hawaii’s telecom infrastructure providing a better picture of what areas still need broadband services and devices, the state is looking to move forward into Connect Kākou’s Phase 3 in 2025. This phase began earlier this year with the finalization of its BEAD proposal and the selection of construction contractors to begin the construction of internet fiber lines. The goal of Connect Kākou is to have universal access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet by 2030.
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