Maui Nui’s Broadband Initiative
Welcome to
Connecting Across Generations
“He wa‘a he moku,
he moku he wa‘a.”
– The canoe is an island,
the island is a canoe.
Just as early Polynesian voyagers sailed across Moananuiākea (the ocean) seeking new horizons, resources, and a home; the Internet now connects us globally. Hawaiʻi’s Digital Equity Plan symbolizes this journey, guided by research and community engagement across Hawaiʻi, driving critical planning to ensure connectivity and access for every community member.
In today's digital landscape, internet access and connectivity are fundamental to how we navigate our world. In response, the State of Hawaiʻi established the Hawaiʻi Broadband and Digital Equity Office (HBDEO) to support and coordinate statewide deployment of high speed internet access (broadband) and achieve the goals of digital equity and adoption for all Hawaiʻi residents. Now, the County of Maui has launched a Broadband Initiative to:
Advance digital equity
and inclusion:
Across Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi, we're dedicated to fostering digital inclusion by providing vital resources such as digital literacy, educational programs, training, telehealth services, and collaborative spaces for our community partners.
Address connectivity gaps:
Identifying and addressing gaps in internet access is a priority. We're committed to bridging these disparities to ensure equal opportunities for all.
Secure support for digital equity:
Our initiative aims to secure federal and state funding dedicated to advancing digital equity projects and programs across Maui Nui.
Investing in Our Communities
To expand broadband infrastructure and digital equity programs, the State of Hawaiʻi is receiving more than $320 million over the next five years.
Funding under the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program will help install more internet infrastructure in areas that have a slow or no connection to the internet, and will get more people online in underserved areas and ensure reliable service in key community locations like schools, libraries, medical facilities, and emergency services.
Exciting developments are underway!
Additionally, funding to support the implementation of the Hawaiʻi Digital Equity Plan will enable the expansion of programs that provide affordable devices and accessibility, digital literacy training, cybersecurity, and technical support for those who need it most.
Residents who will benefit from these programs include:
Low-income Households – below 150% of the poverty threshold
Kūpuna – individuals aged 60 years or older
Incarcerated Individuals – excluding those in Federal correctional facilities
Veterans – honorably discharged or released from active military, naval, or air service
People with Disabilities – physical or mental impairment limiting life activity
Individuals with Language Barriers – English learners or those with low literacy
Racial or Ethnic Minorities – non-dominant race/ethnicity in Hawai‘i
Rural Residents – from towns with <50,000 residents, not urbanized areas
Native Hawaiians – ancestors inhabited Hawai‘i pre-1778
