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This section provides a general overview of unique State characteristics relevant to broadband deployment and adoption, and specific challenges Hawaii faces in achieving ubiquitous high-speed broadband for all of its residents. Geography and Environmen-1 Hawaii's unique geography and environment create unique and difficult challenges for the deployment and maintenance of broadband infrastructure. Hawaii is a volcanic island state comprised of seven main populated islands (Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii Island). It has a land mass of 6,422.6 square miles, which makes it the fourth smallest state in the nation. Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it is the most isolated population center on Earth. Distances from Hawaii U.S. Mainland (California) 2,390 miles Japan 3,850 miles China 4,900 miles Australia 5,070 miles The State's six main populated islands are also separated by deep ocean channels of up to 75 miles in distance. These measured distances between the islands and across the Pacific, moreover, are shorter than the distance of the actual path submarine fiber must take along the ocean floor. The long distances and the deep ocean channels between islands, which are more than 10,000 feet deep at points, require specially equipped ships and crews for cable deployment. However, the State has no permanently stationed deep-sea cable laying ships capable of handling fiber optic cables. This means that the deployment, maintenance, and emergency response Igo