Hawaii Inter-Island Cable System (HICS): connecting the Hawaiian islands
The Hawaii Inter-Island Cable System (HICS) is a submarine telecommunications cable system that links several islands within the state of Hawaii, United States. Operational since 1994, according to GeoCables records, it is owned by Hawaiian Telcom and remains listed as in service. The cable spans 479 kilometers and connects five landing points:
Kawaihae,
Kihei,
Ko Olina,
Koko Head, and
Lihue, facilitating inter-island communication and data transfer.
What makes HICS particularly interesting is the lack of publicly disclosed information about its design capacity, fiber pair count, supplier, and specific technological details. This absence of data raises questions about its current operational specifications and whether upgrades have been implemented since its initial deployment. Additionally, the cable operates in a region with several alternative systems, creating redundancy for inter-island connectivity.
Quick facts
| Cable name | Hawaii Inter-Island Cable System (HICS) |
| Length | 479 km |
| Ready for service | 1994 (GeoCables database value) |
| Owner | Hawaiian Telcom |
| Status | In service |
| Design capacity | Not disclosed |
| Fiber pairs | Not disclosed |
| Supplier | Not disclosed |
| Technology | Not disclosed |
| Landing points | Kawaihae, Kihei, Ko Olina, Koko Head, Lihue (all United States) |
Route
HICS connects five key locations across the Hawaiian Islands:
This routing ensures connectivity between Hawaii’s major islands, supporting regional communications and data exchange.
Why it was built and what it carries
The primary purpose of HICS is to provide reliable telecommunications infrastructure across Hawaii’s islands. Given the archipelagic geography of Hawaii, submarine cables are essential for inter-island connectivity, as terrestrial alternatives are not feasible. HICS likely carries a mix of voice, data, and internet traffic, although specific details about its traffic profile are not publicly available. Its continued operation suggests it plays a role in supporting Hawaiian Telcom’s services, including residential, business, and government communications.
History: what can be established
GeoCables records indicate that HICS was ready for service in 1994. No conflicting dates have surfaced in publicly available industry sources. The cable was deployed to address the growing demand for inter-island connectivity at a time when telecommunications infrastructure was expanding globally. However, details about its initial construction, supplier, and technological specifications remain undisclosed, making it difficult to assess its historical significance or any upgrades since its deployment.
Capacity and technology
Publicly available information does not disclose the design capacity, fiber pair count, or specific technologies used in HICS. Without operator documentation, attributing these values would be speculative. Given its age, it is possible that the cable has undergone upgrades to accommodate increased traffic, but this cannot be confirmed without further data. Submarine cables typically use optical fiber technology, and older systems like HICS may have been retrofitted with newer equipment to extend their operational lifespan.
Latency: the physics
The computed one-way light propagation latency for HICS over its 479-kilometer length is approximately 2.3 milliseconds, with a theoretical round-trip time (RTT) floor of 4.7 milliseconds for the wet segment. Real-world latency measurements are higher due to additional factors such as land tails, terminal equipment, and routing. For example, live measurements from remote probes show RTTs from international locations to Ko Olina ranging from 204.8 ms (Sydney) to 294.8 ms (Cape Town). These values reflect the entire internet path, including terrestrial and other submarine segments, rather than the cable itself.
Redundancy: what happens if it breaks
HICS operates in a corridor with multiple alternative systems, including the Hawaii Island Fibre Network (HIFN), Honotua, Paniolo Cable Network, and Hawaiian Islands Fiber Link (HIFL). These cables provide redundancy for inter-island connectivity, ensuring that communications can be rerouted in the event of a failure. Standard industry practices for submarine cable repair include deploying specialized ships equipped with cable recovery and splicing tools. Repairs can take days to weeks, depending on the location and severity of the damage.
Bottom line
- HICS is a submarine cable system connecting five Hawaiian islands, operational since 1994.
- Owned by Hawaiian Telcom, it remains listed as in service.
- Its design capacity, fiber pair count, supplier, and technological details are not publicly disclosed.
- Computed latency for the wet segment is approximately 4.7 ms RTT, though real-world measurements are higher.
- Redundancy is provided by several other cables in the region.