Hawaiian Telcom and U.S. Navy Region Hawai’i Celebrate Completion of New Direct Fiber Link - Enhancing Connectivity Between West O’ahu to Metro O’ahu

Hawaiian Telcom and the Navy Region Hawai‘i celebrated the completion of a multi-million dollar collaborative project that enabled Hawaiian Telcom to directly link West O‘ahu and Metro O‘ahu utilizing a new fiber route that runs through Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Hawaiian Telcom deployed the largest fiber-optic cable ever installed in the state of Hawai‘i for this project. This route strengthens our backbone network and diversity.

“The need for higher-speed data transmission to support defense, government, commercial, and residential demands is fueling the expansion of fiber-optic networks nationwide,” said U.S. Congressman Ed Case.  “This historic project provides massive capacity to support Hawai‘i’s growing strategic position in the Pacific region.”

“Hawai‘i’s unique location in the middle of the Pacific makes reliable connectivity essential for all who live and work here. Additional fiber connectivity helps ensure access to essential services, public safety resources, healthcare, education and commerce,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D. “We appreciate the collaboration between Hawaiian Telcom and the Navy Region Hawai‘i as strong partners that are looking ahead to future-proof the needs of Hawai‘i’s residents and businesses.”

“This is a significant project that has far-reaching community benefits,” said Colonel Monica Gramling, Deputy Commander, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. “We’re pleased to partner with the private sector to enhance communications connectivity for O‘ahu residents and businesses and enable the Department of Defense to modernize our infrastructure.”

“Integrating this advanced, high-density fiber route advances our goal to continue diversifying our network and fortifying our infrastructure to meet the growing digital demands of our local businesses and communities,” said Hawaiian Telcom President Su Shin. “This forward-thinking investment is another example of Hawaiian Telcom’s unwavering commitment to keep Hawaiʻi connected to the world as we have for more than 140 years.”  

“This new fiber route was strategically placed deep underground to protect it from disruptions,” said Chris Laine, General Manager of Hawaiian Telcom Federal. “Our new direct connection between West and Metro O‘ahu strengthens Hawaiian Telcom’s backbone network and bolsters network diversity throughout the island by providing an additional route for data and voice traffic.”

Hawaiian Telcom is also working on an $87 million fiber broadband project to expand middle mile infrastructure and further strengthen Hawai‘i’s network diversity statewide. Partially supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Hawaiian Telcom is currently building 15 new fiber routes over land and undersea, which includes a new Northern interisland route for increased resiliency and reliability. Click here to learn more about this project.  

Since 2010, Hawaiian Telcom has invested more than $1 billion to expand its fiber footprint, maintain and increase capacity of its communications network, and support its integrated communication solutions for its customers.