COLLEEN HANABUSA 
1ST DISTRICT, HAWAII 
422 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING 
WASHINGTON, DC 20515 
TELEPHONE: 202-225-2726 
FAX: 202-225-0688 
1132 BISHOP STREET, SUITE 191 0 
HONOLULU, HI 96813 
TELEPHONE: 808-541-2570 
http://Hanabusa.house.gov 
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wmasbtngton. 1!HIC 20515-1101 
June 20, 2017 
Receiveli & In d 
The Honorable Ajit Pai, Chairman JUN 2 7 2017 
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 
445 12th Street SW 
Washington, DC 20540 
FCC Ma1l Room 
Re: Telephone Service to the Hawaiian Home Lands 
Dear Chairman Pai: 
COMMITTEE ON 
HOUSE ARMED SERVICES 
SUBCOMMITTEES: 
SEAPOWEA AND PROJECTION FORCES 
STRATEGIC FORCES 
COMMITTEE ON 
NATURAL RESOURCES 
SUBCOMMITTEES: 
FEDERAL lANDS, RANKING MEMBER 
INDIAN, INSULAR AND ALASKA 
NATIVE AFFAIRS 
COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, 
SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY 
SUBCOMMfTTEE: 
ENVIRONMENT 
STEERING AND POLICY 
COMMITTEE 
I am writing to express concerns regarding native Hawaiians who reside on Hawaiian Home 
Lands in the First Congressional District, which I represent, and across the State of Hawaii in 
seventy (70) noncontiguous communities spread over 200,000 acres on six (6) islands. Many of 
these communities are rural, if not remote, making effective and efficient communications vital 
to the safety, well-being and economic security of the native Hawaiians who reside on these 
lands. 
My principal concern regards the viability of the telephone and broadband network that serves 
these communities. I also support the continued extension of service to currently unserved areas 
of future homesteaders. This critical communications network cannot survive and expand 
without Universal Service Fund ("USF") support payments, funds in furtherance of the principle 
that all Americans should have access to communications services. 
To assist me in evaluating the criticality of the current situation, can you please have your staff 
provide me responses to the following: 
1. To my understanding, in July 2015, pending conclusion of its investigation, the FCC ordered 
the Universal Services Administrative Company ("USAC") to suspend USF support payments to 
Sandwich Isles Communications, Inc. (SIC), the entity that maintains and operates the telephone 
and broadband network. What USF funds have been paid to SIC in the nearly two (2) years 
since the suspension of payments by USAC? 
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2. To my understanding, SIC was certified by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission ("PUC") 
as an Eligible Telecommunications Company ("ETC") at the time USF funds were suspended in 
2015 and they remain eligible for the receipt of 2015 funds. If this is incorrect, please advise. 
3. Following the suspension ofUSF funds in 2015, what is the total amount ofUSF funds 
withheld from SIC in calendar year 2015? 
4. Since the date USF funds were suspended to SIC, has the FCC recalculated the amount of 
USF funds that would be due to SIC to maintain and operate the telephone and broadband 
network for calendar year 20 15? 
5. Has the FCC undertaken an economic analysis to determine what effect, if any, the 
suspension ofUFC funds to SIC may have upon the continued provision of communications 
service to native Hawaiians residing on Hawaiian Home Lands? 
In closing, I reiterate my concern that native Hawaiians continue to receive uninterrupted 
telephone and broadband network services and, as such, I would appreciate your earliest 
response to the above questions. 
Sincerely,