Aloha Spirit Inspires Hawai'i Digital Equity Plan

The ʻŌlelo Noʻeau (Native Hawaiian proverb) which introduces Hawai'i's draft Digital Equity Plan speaks to Hawai'i's dependence on the finite resources on an island, the state residents' dependence on one another, and their interconnectedness with everything around them. On a waʻa (canoe), everyone operates together and in sync with one another, with a heightened awareness of the resources on board and the kuleana (responsibility/privilege) of each member on the team to ensure everyone is cared for to bring their best selves forward. The preparation for a long voyage is a tedious and intentional process where every detail, from resources to navigation, are intricately planned. The State of Hawaiʻi has been actively engaged in the work of closing the digital divide since the formation of the Hawaiʻi Broadband Task Force in 2007. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 revealed and deepened the digital divide experienced by communities throughout Hawaiʻi that were already vulnerable to inequalities and hardships. The Hawaiʻi Broadband Hui (BBHui) and Digital Equity Declaration were birthed in 2020 in response to the digital inequities revealed and exacerbated by the pandemic. Over the past year, the State of Hawaiʻi Broadband and Digital Equity Office (HBDEO), under the leadership of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), and in collaboration with a team of community-based consultants, has engaged directly with a wide range of populations that face digital inequity across the islands. With more than 480 participants engaged during the primary data collection phase of this plan, 51 interviews, and 37 focus groups with members of covered populations across Hawaiʻi, the Digital Equity Plan seeks to center the voices of Hawaiʻi’s diverse community. This deeply rooted outreach into Hawaiʻi’s digital divide lays the foundation for a collective movement towards a digitally equitable future for all kamaʻāina (residents), particularly those in marginalized communities and underserved households. The state's draft Digital Equity Plan is the first step in what HBDEO believes will be a unique voyage for Hawaiʻi. Together, Hawai'i residents will embark on a journey to bridge the digital divide and steer Hawaiʻi into a future where digital equity is achieved and all of those who call Hawaiʻi home will have access to the devices, connection, and skills that they need to succeed into the digital future.