Hawaiian Telcom continues fiber optic network expansion on Hawai‘i Island

Hawaiian Telcom continues to expand its fiber optic network, keeping its promise to provide stronger, more resilient internet service throughout the state — including in rural areas off the grid.

Hawai‘i Island will be fully fiber enabled by the end of 2026, with Hawai‘i becoming the first fully fiber enabled state in the nation.

Expansion of the fiber network, however, requires trimming vegetation in certain public easements in Volcano during a 4-month period from Oct. 20 to Jan. 20, 2026, which will involve temporarily parking trucks on one-lane roads that might impact access to homes.

Hawaiian Telcom is contracting the services to accomplish the work with two Hawai‘i Island businesses: Big Island Tree Service, which has a team of certified arborists, and Kīpapa Traffic Management to ensure residents have access to their homes.

“We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause our neighbors,” said Hawaiian Telcom’s Hawai‘i Island Manager Joseph Villa, who is also a Kaʻū High School graduate, in an announcement of the continued fiber expansion. “I grew up in Pāhala in the Kaʻū district and I’m glad to now be able to serve family and friends on Hawai‘i Island and bring them reliable, high-speed internet access.”

Villa added that the improved internet service is critical to meet increased demand for telehealth appointments, online education, e-commerce, artificial intelligence applications, streaming news and favorite programs along with gaming.

“It is our way of bringing the world to the homes of Hawai‘i Island families with virtually no impact to the environment and our cherished rural island lifestyle,” he said.

You can check if your address qualifies for fiber online and learn more at the Hawaiian Telcom website.

Contact Villa at 808-642-1559 for additional information about the vegetation trimming work.