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Hi everybody and Happy Holidays!
We are actively looking for a property in Puna, and one of the main requirements is availability of high speed internet (needed for work). We are considering only properties in lava zone 3 (HPP, Orchidland, Hawaiian Acres). I would really appreciate any input on Internet access options, what is available, how well it works in different areas, what is the best to use, the worst, etc. Any personal experiences with providers will be helpful.
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HPP has Oceanic Cable's Roadrunner in some, but not all, areas. With a few exceptions, the nearer to the highway, the more likely cable is available. If you call the cable company, they can tell you which roads have their service. We use Hawaiian Telcom's DSL, and it's OK, but not always available in all areas of HPP.
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Thank you, Jerry. So, DSL is available in HPP? We are looking as close to the highway as possible, no farther than 15th AVE (ST?).
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IIRC, the availability of DSL depends on both the way the area is wired and the number of existing DSL customers. In other words, your area might be wired for it, but if too many people are already on it, you could have to wait or seek other options. I know that in the central part of HPP, cable is available as far down as 19th. We are quite satisfied with our DSL, and on the occasion that we needed service, it was done reasonably quickly and free of charge.
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Welcome to Punaweb, dinulya!
May I ask, are you bringing your work with you? That's something we're seeing more and more.
People often list broadband access as a must-have but Hawaiian Telcom are
dragging their feet. They told us (in HPP) 5 years ago we would get DSL soon so don't
believe what they tell you, or their website, ask any potential neighbors if they already
have DSL. It's hard to figure out exactly where it is in HPP, there seems to be a cluster
of people who have it around Paradise Ave (one of the 4 main roads), and on Paradise
Ala Kai - as well as near to the highway.
Why aren't you looking beyond 15th St, there's plenty of great properties nearer
to the ocean, and it doesn't rain as much!
Eventually HPP will have cable everywhere in the densely-populated parts so if you're
planning on building you may want to keep that in mind.
Posts: 27
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quote:
Originally posted by rbakker
Welcome to Punaweb, dinulya!
May I ask, are you bringing your work with you? That's something we're seeing more and more.
People often list broadband access as a must-have but Hawaiian Telcom are
dragging their feet. They told us (in HPP) 5 years ago we would get DSL soon so don't
believe what they tell you, or their website, ask any potential neighbors if they already
have DSL. It's hard to figure out exactly where it is in HPP, there seems to be a cluster
of people who have it around Paradise Ave (one of the 4 main roads), and on Paradise
Ala Kai - as well as near to the highway.
Why aren't you looking beyond 15th St, there's plenty of great properties nearer
to the ocean, and it doesn't rain as much!
Eventually HPP will have cable everywhere in the densely-populated parts so if you're
planning on building you may want to keep that in mind.
Hi rbakker, thanks for the warm welcome.
To answer your questions, I will (am) looking for a teaching position either with public or private high schools, and part-time lecturing position with the University of Hawaii/Hawaii Community College. However, I do have a suplemental small internet-based business that I would like to keep going/growing, and need a reliable Internet access for that, as well as for other purposes. We don't watch much TV and use the Internet as the main source for TV shows/news and such. How good is sattelite in the area? If we cannot get DSL because of the location/too many people using it already, would satelite be a reliable option?
Because I will be commuting on a regular basis to Hilo, Keaau or Pahoa, I would rather be closer to the highway than to the ocean. We are planning on buying the house that has alredy been built, not building anything ourselves from scratch.
The rain is fine with me. Helps plants grow bigger. 
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Satellite is available but we didn't go for that. I think it's quite expensive (with long contracts, installation fees etc) but maybe others with first-hand experience can tell you more.
Good idea not building a house with so many empty ones going for cheap.
Time Warner broadband is much better than H Telcom DSL. I have had both and have friends who are very unhappy with DSL after having cable modem.
DSL is better than dial-up.
Suggest you don't buy until you actually have the jobs in hand. Employers here are notoriously hesitant to hire people who are new to the islands. If you have lots of savings, that's another matter.
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I have Satellite on 5th in HPP. They have a relay tower on 4th so nothing needed except having wifi on your computer. It's not as fast as cable...but it does the job....just make sure you have a good line of sight from tower to your house.
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Aloha Broadband is now available in many areas.
http://www.alohabroadband.com/internet_access.php
I don't know how fast it is or how reliable.I'm sure someone will comment with their experience.
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