Hawaiian Telcom unveiled its new training center in Halawa and freshly-branded vehicles at a special dedication ceremony attended by government officials, company executives, and more than 100 technicians.
Hawaiian Telcom invested $15 million in its new Halawa Training Center and more than 100 new Fioptics-branded vehicles for every island to support Hawaiian Telcom’s ongoing statewide fiber expansion.
“To achieve internet access for all of Hawai'i, we must invest not only in reliable infrastructure but also in a skilled workforce to expand our fiber network. Hawaiian Telcom's new training center will help build up our workforce and significantly contribute to our state's internet expansion efforts under the Connect Kākou initiative,” said Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke.
“We’re in an exciting expansion phase at Hawaiian Telcom. As we continue to invest in expanding our future-proof fiber network, we’re also investing in our employees, ensuring that our team members continue to do their jobs safely and serve our community effectively,” said Hawaiian Telcom President Su Shin. “These investments in our new training facility and in our fleet of vehicles are crucial to our fiber expansion, especially as we prepare to launch new services statewide.”
Pole-climbing classes will take place in an area where Hawaiian Telcom erected multiple 30 ft. poles to provide hands-on training for technicians to safely climb and descend poles when they are in the field. In another area, Hawaiian Telcom created a simulated residential space so the technicians can practice drilling into floors from crawl spaces, from the ceiling in attics or between walls to properly install fiber-optic cables.
Also this year, more than 100 Hawaiian Telcom Fioptics-branded vehicles are rolling out on all islands, the result of a $13 million investment.
Since 2010, Hawaiian Telcom has invested more than a billion dollars, half of which of was invested within the past five years, to expand its statewide fiber network and support broadband access for Hawaiʻi residents.
