HONOLULU — Gov. David Ige said 100,000 Hawaii households could be eligible for discounted internet service and encouraged residents to check their eligibility for the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Under ACP, qualified households can get up to $30 off their monthly internet service bills; a $75 discount is available for households on Hawaiian Home Lands.
The program, funded through the $65 billion Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act of 2021, was established to build digital equity and enable a broader swath of the community to work remotely, take classes online, receive telehealth consults, access government services and participate in more internet-based activities.
According to the state, there are currently more than 29,000 Hawaii households enrolled in ACP, accounting for more than $7 million in benefits locally.
Ige praised the Broadband Hui for bringing digital literacy classes to communities via the state public library system, Kamehameha Schools, Area Health Education Center, the Kupuna Collective, Hawaiian Hope, Lanakila Pacific, Digital Ready Hawaii and other organizations. The classes have included instruction in applying for ACP.
“Grassroots efforts like these are building the momentum to bring us all into the 21st century,” Ige said. “Whether it’s broadband affordability programs, access to devices, digital literacy instruction and, most importantly, the environment that builds confidence and dignity, this has the potential to help thousands of kamaaina gain access to the digital world.”
Charter Communications, a cable and broadband provider, is the parent company of Spectrum News.
Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.
