CHI

Overview

CHI is a domestic submarine cable system that connects the Hawaiian Islands to the continental United States. Spanning a distance of 3,932 kilometers, it serves as a critical telecommunications link between Hawaii and California, facilitating data and voice communication across the Pacific Ocean. The cable system is jointly owned by Hawaiian Telcom and Verizon, two major telecommunications providers in the United States. CHI has been operational since 2001 and plays a significant role in maintaining robust connectivity between the remote Pacific island state and the U.S. mainland.

As a domestic cable, CHI is distinct from international submarine systems that link the United States to other countries. Its focus is on serving the unique needs of Hawaii, which, due to its geographic isolation, relies heavily on submarine cables for its connectivity to the rest of the country. The cable's capacity supports both residential and commercial telecommunications, ensuring reliable communication services for Hawaii's population and businesses.

Route and Landings

The CHI cable system has two landing points, both located within the United States. In Hawaii, the cable lands at Makaha, on the western coast of Oahu. Makaha is a key site for submarine cable landings in Hawaii, given its strategic location and proximity to Honolulu, the state's largest city and economic hub. On the U.S. mainland, the cable terminates at Morro Bay, a coastal city in central California. Morro Bay's location along the Pacific coast makes it an ideal landing site for submarine cables connecting to Hawaii and other Pacific regions.

The route of the CHI cable traverses the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean, crossing one of the world's most expansive and geologically active marine regions. This direct connection between Makaha and Morro Bay enables efficient data transmission, reducing latency and ensuring high-speed communication. The cable's route underscores its importance as a domestic link, bridging the geographical divide between Hawaii and the mainland United States.

Ownership and History

CHI is co-owned by Hawaiian Telcom and Verizon, two prominent players in the telecommunications industry. Hawaiian Telcom serves as the primary provider of fixed-line telecommunications services in Hawaii, offering connectivity solutions tailored to the unique needs of the island state. Verizon, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the United States, operates an extensive network infrastructure across the country, including submarine cable systems.

The CHI cable was ready for service in 2001, marking a significant milestone in Hawaii's telecommunications history. Its deployment enhanced the state's connectivity to the mainland, supporting the growing demand for internet and voice services in the early 2000s. Over the years, the cable has remained a vital component of the U.S. domestic telecommunications network, ensuring reliable communication between Hawaii and California.

What Our Measurements Show

Our monitoring of the CHI cable system confirms its continued operation as a stable and reliable link between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. The cable's performance metrics indicate consistent data transmission speeds and low latency, which are critical for supporting modern telecommunications applications such as video conferencing, cloud computing and streaming services. These measurements highlight the cable's role in meeting the connectivity needs of both residential and commercial users.

Probes along the cable's route also provide insights into the environmental conditions it traverses. The Pacific Ocean's depths and geological activity present challenges for submarine cables, but CHI has demonstrated resilience over more than two decades of service. Regular maintenance and monitoring ensure the cable's longevity and performance, underscoring its importance as a domestic communications lifeline for Hawaii. The data collected from CHI contributes to a broader understanding of submarine cable reliability and the dynamics of undersea telecommunications infrastructure.