Lt. Gov. Luke/UHBO – RELEASE – Federal Approval Advances Hawaiʻi’s Broadband Expansion

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

KE KEʻENA O KA HOPE KIAʻĀINA

FEDERAL APPROVAL ADVANCES HAWAIʻI'S BROADBAND EXPANSION

Connect Kākou Receives Key Approval for BEAD Funding to Deliver Affordable, High-Speed Internet Statewide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 23, 2025

"Reliable high-speed Internet is no longer just a convenience; it helps keep our communities resilient, informed and connected to education, jobs, healthcare and each other," Luke said.

Hawaiʻi's BEAD Final Proposal identifies approximately 7,000 locations statewide that are eligible for federal funds. The University of Hawaiʻi Broadband Office (UHBO) made preliminary awards to two telecommunications companies, Hawaiian Telcom and Amazon Leo, a low-earth orbit satellite provider, following a competitive RFP process. Hawaiʻi is slated to receive roughly $149 million in BEAD funds to ensure universal broadband access.

The recent approval from NTIA allows UHBO to finalize the two contracts and articulates how Hawaiʻi may use funds for last-mile deployment work, including building and construction, as well as monitoring, project oversight, permitting expertise and support functions. The contracted performance period is four years for Hawaiian Telecom; 10 years for Amazon Leo. Expenditure of funds for any other purposes remains restricted, subject to forthcoming NTIA guidance, likely in early 2026.

"We're excited to take the next step in the execution of the BEAD program and remain fully committed to achieving universal access for residents throughout our state," said Garret Yoshimi, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at the University of Hawaiʻi.

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Media Contacts:

Shari Nishijima

Communications Director

Office of the Lieutenant Governor

Phone: 808-978-0867

Sara Lin

Broadband Initiative Communications Specialist

University of Hawaiʻi