Our 2026 Climate Action Plan Update

Hawaiian Telcom’s sustainability vision is to connect people, free from waste or pollution, enhancing environmental quality and health in our communities. Building on a long legacy of environmental stewardship, Hawaiian Telcom committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 and began the work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across our operations. In 2022, we launched our Climate Action Plan, which sets a course to achieve our interim goal of reducing carbon emissions by 40% from our 2021 baseline by 2030. 

Since then, we've learned a great deal. As our data has become richer and more comprehensive, we've gained a clearer understanding of our emissions and have been able to refine our approach and reporting. We've also seen that some initiatives are progressing more quickly than others, with each contributing to meaningful outcomes in different ways. 

Now, in 2026, we're updating our Climate Action Plan – publicly available on our website here - to reflect what we've learned and how our business has evolved. This refreshed plan provides a more accurate picture of our progress and reinforces our commitment to achieving our long-term climate goals. 

2026 Climate Action Plan Update

1.) Transitioning Customers From Legacy Copper to Fiber Network Equipment

45% of energy use in Hawaiian Telcom central offices (CO) power our legacy copper telecom network equipment, with only 6% used by our new, strategic fiber equipment. Transitioning customers to fiber and shutting down legacy equipment will help to lower energy use and therefore our footprint. 

2.) Making Upgrades to our Fleet Efficiency and Electrification
The majority of Hawaiian Telcom’s scope 1 emissions are attributed to fuel use. By making our fleet younger, smaller, and more efficient, as well as electrifying some of our vehicles, we can work to reduce fleet-related emissions.

3.) Right-sizing Real Estate and Central Office Shutdowns
As more customers transition to fiber service, the need for legacy COs will decrease presenting opportunities to consolidate and divest of some real estate. Together, these efforts can help to decrease our energy consumption. 

4.) Upgrading and Replacing Rectifiers in our Central Offices
Rectifiers are a critical part of the power plant in each of our central offices. As continuous energy consumers, upgrading older, less efficient rectifiers with newer models can help to reduce our carbon footprint.

5.) Adding On-site Solar Photovoltaic Systems
Hawaiian Telcom already benefits from PV systems at 64 locations throughout Hawai’i. With plans to add roughly 150 kW of new installations in 2026, we expect to see more and more energy-related emissions savings as time progresses.

Together, these actions will move Hawaiian Telcom closer to its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% in 2030 while keeping us on the path to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

We serve Hawai’i, our home, working to provide connection without carbon.