2025 THEME
ʻŌlelo Noʻeau: Pūpūkahi I Holomua (unite to move forward)
Pūpūkahi I Holomua: Building the Digital Future Together
The Hawaiʻi Broadband Hōʻike brings together community organizations, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore how broadband access can drive economic opportunity, digital equity, and innovation across Hawaiʻi.
From hands-on site visits to insightful talks and panels, we’ll explore the real ways broadband is opening up new jobs, learning opportunities, and possibilities for everyone.
The Pau Hana Innovation (PHI) Series is a new initiative by OER that brings together government leaders, private sector partners, and changemakers to explore how technology and innovation can improve the way public services are designed and delivered.
DAY 1: OʻAHU SITE VISITS
October 6, 2025
8:30 am - 3 pm
Site Visit 1: Hui O Hauʻula
or
Site Visit 2: Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center
DAY 1 AGENDA
DAY 1 AGENDA
Site Visit 1: Hui O Hau’ula
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Hui O Hau’ula - Registration and Breakfast
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Hui O Hau’ula - Ko’olau Digital-Broadband Coalition Presentation
The Koʻolau Digital-Broadband Community Coalition panel features local leaders and service providers working to strengthen broadband access in Koʻolau communities. The panel highlights how improved connectivity supports critical programs for keiki to kūpuna — from education and health care to housing and digital literacy. Speakers from Windward Community College, Kahuku schools, Hauʻula Civic Center, and community-based initiatives will share how broadband empowers their work and why investing in digital equity is essential for a thriving future.
Moderator: Dotty Kelly-Paddock
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
DR Fortress - Hawai’i Data Center Presentation
DRFortress is the largest and the only carrier-neutral data center and cloud marketplace operating in Hawaii. Our world-class data center is a 65,000 square foot facility outside the island’s extended flood and tsunami zones. We have been proudly serving Hawaii and the Pacific since 2006.
DRFortress is Hawaii’s Digital Hub and largest business network. We provide reliable, cost-efficient, and scalable solutions for businesses. Our solutions enable businesses to deploy and evolve their data center, cloud computing, and network strategies on an as-needed basis.
Location: 3375 Koapaka Street, Suite D-198, Honolulu, HI 96819.
Point of Contact: Fred Rodi
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Hawai’i Broadband Office - Presentation
OR
Site Visit 2: Wai’anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Wai’anae Coast Comp. - Welcome and Registration
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Wai’anae Coast Comp. - Presentation
Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC) brings together local leaders and partners advancing digital equity through community-based innovation. This event will highlight projects such as the Lifeline for Waianae Moku Community Wi-Fi network, Kupuna Tech Workshops, and Tech Savvy Teens, all focused on closing the digital divide and improving access to healthcare, education, and opportunity. Attendees will learn how connectivity solutions tailored for our community are strengthening resilience from keiki to kūpuna.
Location: Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center | Ka'ahaaina Café, 86-260 Farrington Hwy, Waianae, HI 96792
Point of Contact: Chrissy Kuahine, mkuahine@wcchc.com, 808-590-1244
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Pu’uhonua O Wai’anae - A Model of Community-Built Housing and Broadband Equity
The visit to Puʻuhonua o Waiʻanae will highlight the transformation of a once-undeveloped 20-acre parcel into a self-built community now home to nearly 150 formerly houseless residents. As the site of Hawaiʻi’s second community-operated broadband network, it showcases how grassroots innovation can bring reliable internet access to even the most marginalized populations. This visit offers a powerful example of digital equity in action, where connectivity supports education, safety, and opportunity in a resilient, self-determined village.
Location: Puʻuhonua o Waiʻanae | 85-369 Farrington Hwy, Waianae, HI 96792
Point of Contact:
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands - Presentation
Discussion and Debriefing: Native Hawaiian Culture & Broadband
How do you bring broadband infrastructure to Native Hawaiian Communities in ways that honor and respect cultural values? And how are Native Hawaiians leveraging the internet to preserve, celebrate, and share their heritage? This presentation will explore these important questions through stories and short video segments featuring beneficiaries living on the Hawaiian homelands.
Presenters:
Jaren Tengan (Department of Hawaiian Home Lands)
Aislen Bacalso (Department of Hawaiian Home Lands)
Location: Department of Hawaiian Home Lands | 91-5420 Kapolei Pkwy, Kapolei, HI 96707
Point of Contact: Aislen V. Bacalso
DAY 2 AGENDA
DAY 2 AGENDA
Entrepreneurs Sandbox
7:45 am - 8:45 am
Registration, Breakfast, and Networking
8:50 am - 9:45 am
Welcome Remarks
Speaker: Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke
Host: Max Rodriguez (OER - Office of Economic Revitalization)
Morning General Session
The Future is Now: Broadband as a Foundation for Hawaiʻi’s Digital Economy
How is broadband being implemented into our community? In this session, learn about what makes broadband possible and the ways it impacts the lives of our people as an essential public good for equity and economic opportunity.
Speakers:
Garret Yoshimi (UH Broadband Office)
Chung Chang (HIBO - State of Hawaiʻi Broadband Office)
Moderator: Constancio Paranal III (Office of Economic Revitalization)
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Breakout Session I
Future-Ready Hawaiʻi: Skills, Jobs & the Digital Workforce
Explore how broadband is opening new doors to remote work, digital careers, and training opportunities across the islands. Featuring the people and programs elevating the community through online job access, tech training, and upskilling.
Location: Red Room
Speakers:
Matt Stevens (Hawaiʻi Workforce Funders Collaborative)
Burt Lum (Hawaiʻi Broadband Office)
Lauren Arakawa (Microsoft)
Moderator: Su Lazo (OER - Office of Economic Revitalization)
Everyone Online: Partnering with Communities to Make Internet Affordable & Accessible
Highlighting the creative partnerships between ISPs, local groups, and governments to make internet service more affordable and useful to everyday families. Learn about solutions being ideated and how the community can get involved.
Location: Blue Room
Speakers:
Jill Takasaki Canfield (Hawaiʻi Literacy)
Shola Kahiapo-Trevino (Hawaiʻi County)
Cindy Moore (Hawaiʻi County)
Moderator: Amber Temus (HIBO - State of Hawaiʻi Broadband Office)
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Lunch
12:45 pm - 1:45 pm
Mayor’s Remarks
Speaker: Mayor Blangiardi
Afternoon General Session
From Access to Action: What Will We Build Together?
What is the collective impact and next steps for broadband? In this session, learn about how equity in broadband is being put to practice and the future of Hawaiʻi with inclusive access.
Speakers:
Christine Weis (Hawaiʻi State Public Library System)
Rep. Greggor Ilagan (District 4, Lower Puna)
Tech Savvy Teens
Moderator: Sara Lin (UH Broadband Office)
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Breakout Session II
Bridging the Islands: What’s Next for Hawaiʻi’s Internet Connections
A community-focused look at how fiber and broadband projects (like the Ocean Network and middle mile efforts) are reshaping access across the state. Get insight into infrastructure projects and learn about what it means for our people’s homes, schools, and small businesses.
Location: Red Room
Speakers:
Cliff Miyake (Ocean Networks)
Kalani Andrade (Hawaiian Telcom)
Jolie Jenkins (Maui County)
Moderator: Burt Lum (HIBO - State of Hawaiʻi Broadband Office)
Innovation in the Islands: Broadband as a Launchpad
Discover how broadband is fueling local innovation across industries and sectors, promoting small business growth and telehealth to ag-tech and culture-based entrepreneurship. Learn about the creative and homegrown ways our people are using the internet to build businesses and solve local problems.
Location: Blue Room
Speakers:
Christina Higa (Pacific Basin Telehealth Resource Center)
Ken Dickinson (Kupuna Connections)
Paola Vidulich (SPACE)
Moderator: Alyssa Goslee (OER - Office of Economic Revitalization)
3:15 pm - 4:00 pm
Digital Economy Innovation Awards Ceremony
Honoring and celebrating the outstanding digital efforts of individuals and organizations in our community.
Co-Hosts: Max Rodriguez (Office of Economic Revitalization) and Kiran Polk (Kapolei Chamber)
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Closing Remarks and Networking Pau Hana
Closing Remarks: Constancio Paranal (OER - Office of Economic Revitalization)
Sponsor Appreciation: Cat Awakuni Colon (O’ahu Economic Development Board)
Honorary Guests
-
Sylvia Luke
STATE OF HAWAIʻI LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
-
Rick Blangiardi
MAYOR OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
-
Gregorr Ilagan
HAWAIʻI STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 4, LOWER PUNA
Moderators
-
Alyssa Goslee
SMALL BUSINESS & FINANCE PROGRAM MANAGER
City & County of Honolulu Office of Economic Revitalization
-
Amber Ternus
BROADBAND PROJECT COORDINATOR
State of Hawaiʻi Broadband Office (HIBO)
-
Burt Lum
STATE BROADBAND COORDINATOR
State of Hawaiʻi Broadband Office
-
Constancio Paranal III
GRANTS & INNOVATIONS DIRECTORS
City & County of Honolulu Office of Economic Revitalization
-
Dotty Kelly-Paddock
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Hui O Hauʻula
-
Kiran Polk
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO
Kapolei Chamber of Commerce
-
Max Rodriguez
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
City & County of Honolulu Office of Economic Revitalization
-
Sara Lin
University of Hawaiʻi Broadband Office
-
Su Lazo
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM MANAGER
City & County of Honolulu Office of Economic Revitalization
Speakers/Presenters
-
Aislen Bacalso
BROADBAND PROGRAM SPECIALIST
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
-
Burt Lum
STATE BROADBAND COORDINATOR
State of Hawaiʻi Broadband Office
-
Christina Higa
DIRECTOR
Pacific Basin Telehealth Resource Center
-
Christine Weis
LIBRARIAN
Hawaiʻi State Public Library System
-
Chung I. Chang
STRATEGIC BROADBAND COORDINATOR
State of Hawaiʻi Broadband Office (HIBO)
-
Cindy Moore
Hawaiʻi County
-
Cliff Miyake
CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER
Ocean Networks
-
Garret Yoshimi
University of Hawaiʻi Broadband Office
-
Jaren Tengan
BROADBAND COORDINATOR
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
-
Jill Takasaki Canfield
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Hawaiʻi Literacy
-
Jolie Jenkins
County of Maui
-
Kalani Andrade
SENIOR MANAGER - NETWORK PLANNING AND SUBSEA CABLES
Hawaiian Telcom
-
Kenneth Dickinson
PROJECT CONSULTANT
Kūpuna Connections, Kaua'i
-
Lauren Arakawa
SENIOR TECHNICAL PROGRAM MANAGER
Microsoft
-
Matt Stevens
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Hawaiʻi Workforce Funders Collaborative
-
Paola Vidulich
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
SPACE
-
Shola Kahiapo-Trevino
DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES SPECIALIST
County of Hawaiʻi
-
Tech Savvy Teens
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Mahalo to our sponsors