DHHL Urges Customers of Sandwich Isles Communications (SIC) to Immediately Switch Phone & Internet Service Providers

Below is information about signing up for new phone and/or internet service.

DHHL is aware of widespread outages of SIC phone and internet service on Hawaiian Home Lands. We encourage lessees to sign-up for alternate service from Hawaiian Telcom and Spectrum. We are also working to establish interim service in areas that are outside the service areas for those companies.

Q&A

Check if alternative service is available at your home address:
Hawaiian Telcom
www.hawaiiantel.com
(808) 475-8469
Spectrum
www.spectrum.com/services/hawaii
(808) 582-6146
If both companies are unable to serve you, contact DHHL. Send your full address with zip code to dhhl.broadband@hawaii.gov or call (808) 570-4883.
For business service, see below.
Ask if you are eligible for these programs:
Spectrum
Internet Assist Plans
Hawaii Telcom
HI-Connect free internet
Internet Kokua
Lifeline
Lifeline is a federal program that can save you up to $34.25 per month and help with startup costs.
• Check your eligibility and apply here.
• If you have a disability and need assistance call (800) 234-9473.
• If you wish to participate in Lifeline, we recommend signing up for new service and applying for Lifeline at the same time. If you are approved for Lifeline, notify your provider to receive your discount.
• If you are unable to sign up with another provider, please contact DHHL at dhhl.broadband@hawaii.gov or call (808) 749-2459.
If you receive phone service from SIC and wish to keep your current phone number, inform your new service provider when you sign up for new phone service.
On June 7th, the FCC issued an Emergency Order, waiving the normal requirements for transferring numbers from SIC to a new service provider, citing extraordinary circumstances.
• SIC is a private company that is required to provide you with reliable service.
• The company is facing foreclosure because it defaulted on a major loan.
• In a separate case, a jury found that an SIC executive used company money for personal luxuries.
Check if alternative service is available at your business address:
Hawaiian Telcom Business Service
www.hawaiiantel.com
(808) 546-3458
Spectrum Business
www.spectrum.com/business
(808) 348-1118
If both companies are unable to serve you, contact DHHL. Send your full address with zip code to dhhl.broadband@hawaii.gov or call (808) 570-4883.
For residential service, see above.
• Test your current connection speed here.
• To determine how much internet you need, take a short survey.

Updates

Establishing Interim Service

“Without the internet in this world we’re kind of lost.”

July 19, 2024

Phone lines at DHHL’s Oʻahu office will be temporarily unavailable starting Friday, July 19, 2024 at 3 p.m. The disruption is due to the department’s transition away from its former provider, SIC. DHHL’s individual employee phone lines are expected to return to service next week.

Those in need of immediate assistance may email dhhl.broadband@hawaii.gov. The Oʻahu office will remain open for in-person appointments.

June 10, 2024

Lessees may reach DHHL at (808) 620-9500. If that number stops working due to an outage of SIC service, call (808) 620-9500. As of Monday June 10, some DHHL district offices do not have phone service due to an SIC outage.

June 7, 2024

If you receive phone service from SIC and wish to keep your current phone number, inform your new service provider when you sign up for new phone service.

On June 7th, the FCC issued an Emergency Order, waiving the normal requirements for transferring numbers from SIC to a new service provider, citing extraordinary circumstances.

Letter to Lessees

Letter to Businesses