About Us

In 2025, the Hawaii State Legislature passed House Bill 934 (signed into law as Act 201), which officially established the Hawaii State Broadband Office within the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS). This legislative move transitioned the existing Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to DAGS to centralize and accelerate the state’s “Connect Kākou” initiative.

The office is led by a Strategic Broadband Coordinator appointed by the governor and is supported by a newly created Broadband Revolving Fund. A key component of the legislation included funding for digital navigators – specialists stationed at public libraries to help residents access online services, learn digital literacy skills, and navigate technical barriers to healthcare and employment.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities

The Broadband Office serves as the central authority for the state’s digital infrastructure and equity efforts. Its primary mandates include:

  • Strategy Development: Designing and implementing aggressive plans to increase broadband affordability, market penetration, and competitive availability statewide.
  • Infrastructure Support: Facilitating the deployment of high-speed electronic communications services through public-private partnerships.
  • Grant Administration: Overseeing federal and state funding programs, including the administration of significant federal grants like the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
  • Global Connectivity: Promoting and coordinating the landing of trans-Pacific submarine cables to enhance Hawaii’s international data capacity.
  • Digital Equity Advocacy: Developing programs for telehealth, e-learning, and telework to ensure underserved communities can leverage high-speed internet for economic and social mobility.