Governor's Office – Press Release – Governor Green Signs Emergency Proclamation to Prevent Loss of Telecommunications
Published on May 31, 2024 in Latest news from the department, newsroom, Press Releases from the Governor's Office
JOSH GREEN, MD
GOVERNOR
THE GOVERNOR
GREEN GOVERNOR SIGNS EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION TO AVOID LOSS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2024
HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green, MD, today signed an Emergency Proclamation to prevent the loss of telecommunications services for many Hawaiian Home Lands homes across the state.
On May 30, 2024, Sandwich Isle Communications (PIC), a private company that provides telephone and Internet services to many customers in the Hawaiian Home Lands, announced via email to customers that services would cease on Saturday, May 1. June 2024.
The termination of services could leave approximately 1,500 households and several businesses, schools and other institutions in the Hawaiian Home Lands without telephone and/or Internet service.
“We must ensure our communities remain connected to critical services, including emergency medical services, police and fire,” said Governor Green. "Providers have a responsibility to maintain services for their customers."
"It is unacceptable that Sandwich Isles Communications is planning to disconnect the services its customers depend on at such short notice," said Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke. “We strongly urge Sandwich Isles Communications to transition Hawaiian Home Lands tenants to alternative service providers in an orderly and responsible process.”
The Emergency Proclamation directs all state agencies to assist in the effort to maintain continuity of service and directs telecommunications providers to avoid any interruption or interruption of telecommunications and general services.
A copy of the executed EP can be found. here.
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Media Contacts:
Erika Engle
press secretary
Office of the Governor, State of Hawai'i
Office: 808-586-0121
Email: [email protected]
McClellan Award
Director of Communications
Office of the Governor, State of Hawaii
Cell: 808-265-0083
Email: [email protected]
