Public meetings provide input on cable TV franchise

Oceanic Cable-Time Warner’s cable television franchise, worth billions of dollar over the next five to 20 years if renewed, expires on Dec. 31, 2009. In return for the use of public rights of way and other assets, the cable company provides public, educational and government broadcast services, offered on Oahu by ‘Olelo Community Television, customer service and cable programming and services.

“This is a time for us to envision what resources will foster healthy and vibrant community dialogue for the benefit of each community, O`ahu, and the State as a whole,”  said Kealii Lopez, ‘Olelo president and CEO. “Existing resources provided through `Olelo are only part of what may be possible. The DCCA needs to know what type of capability and services you want to see retained or expanded and they need to know the reasons why they are needed.”

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs oversees cable television in Hawai‘i. It is conducting a cable TV community needs assessment and held a public hearing on July 15 at McKinley High School for public comments and input on Oceanic Cable’s franchise renewal. Because of overwhelming attendance at that meeting, DCCA has now scheduled two additional meetings:

• 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at Kapolei Middle School’s Cultural Center
• 6 to 8 p.m.  on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Hale Alakai, Windward Community College

There is a questionnaire on community needs and ‘Olelo’s services that forum attendees can fill out and drop off at these meetings. In addition, written comments can also be submitted to DCCA by Tuesday, Sept. 30, to cabletv@dcca.hawaii.gov, fax (808) 586-2625, or DCCA-CATV, P.O. Box 541, Honolulu, Hawaii 96809.

‘Olelo Community Television has additional material about the franchise renewal on its web site.

“The outcome of the new franchise is far-reaching and determines the resources that will be made available to the community for the next 10 to 20 years,” said Lopez.  “This could include, but is not limited to, funding support, island-wide connectivity, the number of channels set aside for PEG, existence of community media centers and the community's access to new and/or improved technology.”

Counties on the mainland have lost community access and other technological benefits as franchises have been renegotiated, she said.  “The moment to speak up on what level of technology your community wants and needs is now, since this opportunity may not come again for many, many years.”