Kaua‘i Now Fully Fiber Enabled

Kaua‘i Now Fully Fiber Enabled

Hawaiian Telcom Making Rapid Progress to Make Hawai‘i the
First Fully Fiber-Enabled State by the End of Next Year

Honolulu, Hawai‘i—In January 2025, Hawaiian Telcom’s President Su Shin made a bold, decisive declaration that caught the attention of the telecommunications industry: Hawai‘i would be the first fully fiber-enabled state in the nation by the end of 2026. In just six months, Hawaiian Telcom is showing remarkable progress to make good on its promise. Kaua‘i is now fully-fiber enabled, the third island in the state to reach this major milestone.

This is good news for Garden Island residents and businesses. They can now tap into this fiber-optic network and bring symmetrical broadband directly to their home or office for reliable, ultra-fast download and upload internet speeds to meet the increasing demand for data-heavy applications and the growing need for integration of artificial intelligence.

“Whether you live or work in Hanalei Bay, Kapa‘a, Līhu‘e, Hanapepe, Barking Sands or anywhere in between, the entire island now can experience quality broadband service to improve their access to education, healthcare, business, and other opportunities,” said Su Shin, president of Hawaiian Telcom. “Our plan is unfolding and the Hawaiian Telcom team is working as fast as permitting allows to ensure Hawai‘i residents are not left behind in our rapidly evolving world that demands ever-increasing amounts of data to be transferred at top speeds.”

Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i were fully fiber-enabled in 2023. Maui is targeted for completion by the end of this year, and O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island will be fiber-enabled by the end of 2026. The total cost of this statewide undertaking is projected to be $1.7 billion, the majority of which is being financed by Hawaiian Telcom.

Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who oversees the state’s Connect Kākou initiative, said: “Partnerships with businesses have become even more crucial with decreased federal funding. As we continue expanding access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet through Connect Kākou, we appreciate Hawaiian Telcom for staying the course and continuing to invest in Hawai‘i, for Hawai‘i.”

“Access to high-speed internet is critical to leveling the playing field for our keiki, supporting our small businesses, strengthening our healthcare system, and helping our kūpuna stay connected to loved ones,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “Broadband is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity, especially for rural communities like ours. Mahalo to Hawaiian Telcom for their continued commitment to strengthening the backbone of our island’s digital infrastructure.”

According to Jason Thune, Hawaiian Telcom’s vice president of fiber strategy and deployment, who is spearheading the statewide fiber expansion efforts, with the completion of Kaua‘i, about 65% of the state is now fully fiber enabled, representing more than 430,000 doors statewide.

“We’re on a mission. It‘s thrilling to be in this race, but our team is driven by the fact that we are helping to transform the lives of Hawai‘i families. Every mile of fiber we deploy means more possibilities for everyone in Hawai‘i, from keiki to kūpuna,” Thune said. “Every day, we are amazed at how these hair-like strands of glass can transmit information and take people’s lives to a new level. This inspires us to keep pressing forward.”

Link to b-roll, credit Hawaiian Telcom

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About Hawaiian Telcom
Hawaiian Telcom is the only organization in the state that provides 100% fiber internet service. Hawaiian Telcom’s plans are now underway to invest $1.7 billion to make Hawai‘i the first fully fiber enabled state in the nation by the end of 2026. To date, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i and Kaua‘i are fully fiber enabled. Maui will be fully fiber-enabled by the end of 2025, and Hawai‘i Island and O‘ahu will be fully fiber-enabled by the end of 2026. Hawaiian Telcom has been named the “Top Rated Internet by Consumers” and “Top Gaming Experience” by Ookla, an objective, independent source and global leader in connectivity intelligence. For more information, visit hawaiiantel.com.