HONOLULU – Hawaiʻi industry leaders, community organizations, and policymakers will gather on October 6–7, 2025, for the second annual Hawaiʻi Broadband Ho‘ike, a two-day event coinciding with the National Digital Inclusion Week, which highlights how internet connectivity is transforming communities statewide.

This year’s theme, the ʻōlelo noʻeau (Hawaiian proverb), Pūpūkahi I Holomua — “unite to move forward” — reflects the belief that when we work together, we make progress. First held on Kauaʻi in 2023, the Hōʻike is hosted this year by the City and County of Honolulu and will feature the Digital Economy Innovation Awards, honoring individuals and organizations advancing digital equity across Hawaiʻi.

Day 1 – Monday, October 6: Community Site Visits & Presentations
Participants may select from two tracks:

Koʻolau Track (Hauʻula & Honolulu) – Featuring Hui o Hauʻula, the Koʻolau Broadband Coalition, DRFortress, and the Hawaiʻi Broadband Office. The panel and presentations will highlight how improved connectivity supports critical programs for children and seniors, from education and healthcare to housing and digital literacy.

Waiʻanae Coast Track – Featuring Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Puʻuhonua o Waiʻanae, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Highlights include Puʻuhonua o Waiʻanae’s transformation of a 20-acre parcel into a self-built village for formerly houseless residents and the creation of Hawaiʻi’s second community-run broadband network. Projects such as the Lifeline for Waiʻanae Moku Community Wi-Fi, Kupuna Tech Workshops, and Tech Savvy Teens will also be showcased.

Day 2 – Tuesday, October 7: Conference at Entrepreneurs Sandbox
The second day features panels, speakers, and presentations on Hawaiʻi’s digital future, with participation from Microsoft, Hawaiian Telcom, Ocean Networks, Charter Communications, and government partners from Maui, Hawaiʻi, and Kauaʻi Counties, as well as the State of Hawaiʻi.

Opening remarks will be delivered by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, followed by Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi in the afternoon. The conference will close with the Digital Economy Innovation Awards, recognizing outstanding community-led digital efforts.

“Gatherings like this Hōʻike are valuable for the community as a way to come together, share experiences, and collaborate to come up with solutions for shared challenges,” said Garrett Yoshimi, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at the University of Hawaiʻi. “UH is leading the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program to build broadband infrastructure to un-and underserved communities throughout the islands.”

“This Hōʻike is about moving forward together. Hawaiʻi’s digital future depends on the strength of our partnerships, from community organizations on the ground to industry leaders and policymakers,” said Chung I. Chang, Strategic Broadband Coordinator at the Hawaiʻi Broadband Office. “Together, we are not just building networks of fiber and wireless. We are building networks of trust, opportunity, and resilience that will allow every resident of Hawaiʻi to thrive in the digital economy.”

The Hawaiʻi Broadband Hō‘ike is presented by the State of Hawaiʻiʻi, Hawaiʻi Broadband Office, Connect Kākou,  the University of Hawaiʻi, the City and County of Honolulu, the City’s Office of Economic Revitalization, and the Oʻahu Economic Development Board. 

The 2025 Hawaiʻi Broadband Hōʻike is made possible through the support of Hub Coworking Hawaiʻi, Entrepreneurs Sandbox, Oʻahu Economic Development Board, Hawaiian Electric, Ocean Networks, Hyperspective, TRUE (Technology, Readiness, User Evaluation), Go Vibe, Spectrum, and World Wide Technology. 

For details, visit revitalizeoahu.org/2025-broadband-hoike. 

—PAU—