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Hilo HIFL Beneficiary Consultation

The Hawaiian Islands Fiber Link (HIFL) Project

DHHL beneficiaries are invited to attend a beneficiary consultation regarding the proposed Hawaiian Islands Fiber Link (HILF) project and it’s proposed landing of a subsea fiber optic cable on DHHL lands in Keaukaha adjacent to the UH Pacific Aquaculture & Coastal Resources Center (PACRC) at 1079 Kalanianaole St, Hilo, HI 96720.

Ocean Networks is responsible for the supply, construction, operations and maintenance of the HIFL inter-island cable system. The project is being overseen by the University of Hawai’i System Office for Information Technology with support from the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi (RCUH). The purpose of the project is to install a subsea and land segment cable system throughout the islands to create more capacity for high-speed internet.

PURPOSE: This beneficiary consultation is to gather beneficiary mana‘o regarding the proposed landing site on DHHL lands in Keaukaha.

TRIGGER FOR BENEFICIARY CONSULTATION:

This action requires a long-term land disposition for an easement on DHHL lands at TMK (3) 2-1-011:005 (por.), which requires beneficiary consultation and Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC) approval of both the beneficiary consultation report and the proposed land disposition. The beneficiary consultation scheduled below will produce a report that will be brought to the HHC prior to their decision-making on this land use request. These matters are tentatively scheduled to come before the HHC for decision-making at the regular HHC meeting scheduled for September 15-16, 2025 in Hilo, Hawai‘i.

LAND USE REQUEST: This land use request is for a long-term land disposition in the form of a conservation easement of Hawaiian Home Lands for a non-homesteading use. The total area for the easement is approximately 690 square feet. The project would include construction activities in the easement area, and would connect to the other accessory sites located on the UH Hilo campus.

In-Person Beneficiary Consultation

  • Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 6pm

This meeting will be in-person at:

  • Keaukaha Elementary School Cafeteria 240 Desha Ave, Hilo, HI 96720

*Mahalo to Ocean Networks for providing refreshments

 

 

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

For more information on the beneficiary consultation and report, please contact Lilliane Makaila, DHHL Planning office at [email protected] or (808) 730-0352.

For more information on the land use request application for an easement, please contact Andrew Sante, DHHL Land Management Division at [email protected] or 808 730-0336.