02-01-2026, 06:03 PM
(02-01-2026, 01:48 PM)leilanidude Wrote: All these websites to get help from. I guess it is a good thing the government also gives out internet for as much as zero dollars to some folks, others have to pay $10-$15.
You can get free or heavily discounted internet from the government through the federal Lifeline program, which provides a monthly discount for low-income households or those on benefits like SNAP or Medicaid; you apply through a participating internet provider or the National Verifier, and your provider can often make the service free if the discount covers the whole cost.
Interesting to note, is that "Connect Kākou" is a program which allows for low cost or even free internet access as well as internet access in rural areas on each Island of Hawaii and is funded through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment, or BEAD program which was originally included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. (Thanks Joe!)
However, since January of 2025, the funding for the BEAD program was thwarted time and time and time again with sudden required review after review, as well as constantly changing requirements, attempted forcing of the sole use of a certain individuals satellite internet company, attempts to remove union labor or prevailing wage requirements for workers involved in installing the infrastructure needed among other delay tactics. (Thanks Don!)
Then another shiny object flew by to distract all of this and the federal funding for the Connect Kākou finally happened in late 2025.
So yes, while one can get free or very reduced cost internet access here in Puna, it was a significant root canal to get it and almost did not happen.