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GOAL 2:: Expand Digital Inclusion and Adoption to Achieve <br />The National Digital Inclusion Alliance defines inclusion as the activities necessary to <br />ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have <br />access to and use of information and communication technologies. <br />Accurate estimates of statewide broadband inclusion and adoption rates in Hawaii in <br />general and home broadband adoption rates in particular are difficult because detailed <br />subscriber data is generally protected by providers. Based upon information that is <br />available, it is estimated that overall State broadband adoption is between 70-80%, <br />with home broadband adoption failing within the middle of that range. During COVID <br />however, significant gaps emerged especially as schools scrambled to erect distance <br />learning channels, businesses worked to implement work -from -home practices, and <br />social services attempted to meet the demands of clients remotely. <br />Hawaii is challenged by several barriers to broadband Inclusion and adoption. <br />Insufficient data on the availability and coverage of broadband especially in remote <br />areas. The business case for providing broadband is not sufficient to justify <br />infrastructure investment, unless supplemented by federal or other grants. Cost or <br />affordability of services and the lack of financial resources to purchase a service plan or <br />a desktop, laptop or other devices underscore the challenge of the digital divide. Even <br />if costs and coverage barriers are addressed, digital illiteracy prevents maximum <br />benefit from broadband access to those unserved or underserved. <br />Identify and remove barriers to access and adoption to unserved and underserved <br />• Continue to convene the Hawaii Broadband Hui to regularly identify barriers to <br />broadband access statewide and develop solutions to overcome them <br />• Enable community access to connectivity 24/7/365 at public schools and colleges, <br />libraries, fire stations, and other community anchor institutions <br />• Ensure connectivity and devices to all students and teachers to bridge digital divide <br />• Support public, private and community training programs that promote digital <br />literacy, including teachers and families <br />• Leverage community anchor networks between each public/community facility <br />