By the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Hawaii, to provide relief for disaster damages, losses, and suffering, and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people, I, JOSH GREEN, M.D., Governor of the State of Hawaii, hereby determine, designate, and proclaim as follows:

WHEREAS, under Chapter 127, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), emergency powers are conferred on the Governor of the State of Hawaii to respond to disasters or emergencies, to maintain the strength, resources, and economic life of the community, and to protect the public health, safety, and welfare;

WHEREAS, on May 30, 2024, Sandwich Isles Communications (SIC), a privatecompany that provides phone and internet services to customers on Hawaiian Home  Lands across the State, announced in an email to its customers that it would end its service in less than two days on June 1, 2024;

WHEREAS, termination of SIC’s services would result in the sudden loss of  phone and internet services for up to 1,500 households on Hawaiian Home Lands across the State, including households in remote communities where such services are critical;

WHEREAS, termination of SIC’s services will also affect phone and internet services provided to businesses, schools, and other institutions located on Hawaiian Home Lands that rely on SIC for such services;

WHEREAS, any termination of phone and/or internet services will impair the ability of all affected communities to access critical services, including emergency medical, police, and fire services;

WHEREAS, loss of such services will jeopardize the resources, economic life, public health, safety, and welfare of all affected communities;

WHEREAS, the potential loss of the services continues to be an imminent danger and threat of an emergency on Hawaiian Home Lands statewide;

WHEREAS, on May 31, 2024, I issued my Proclamation Relating to Telecommunications Services on Hawaiian Home Lands, and have issued three additional proclamations, including the latest Fourth Proclamation Relating to Telecommunications Services on Hawaiian Home Lands on October 24, 2024; and

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