State Broadband Coordinator of the Hawai‘i Broadband and Digital Equity Office, Burt Lum, was recently recognized with two awards for his work championing digital equity in the state of Hawai‘i.

Earlier this month, Lum was recognized with the Charles Benton Digital Equity Champion Award, presented by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) and the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, during the NDIA’s Net Inclusion’s annual conference  in San Antonio, Texas. Additionally, Lum was recognized as a Hall of Fame Laureate by The Junior Achievement of Hawai‘i.

In March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lum was one of the co-conveners of the Hawai‘i Broadband Hui – a grassroots community gathering which convenes more than 500 partners from diverse backgrounds who collaborate to increase Hawai‘i’s digital capacity. Lum and the Hui have made progress by mobilizing their efforts, which have resulted in establishing a Broadband and Digital Equity Office, making Hawai‘i one of the first states across the country to prioritize digital equity.

The Hui has supported broadband infrastructure development in rural communities; provided digital devices for students and families; supported the accessibility of tele-health; provided information on low-cost internet options and adopted a Digital Equity Declaration to set a vision and goals for a more equitable digital future. Lum’s dedicated efforts and collective action are integral as Hawai‘i aims to achieve full digital equity in the near future and over the long term.

“This year, Burt stood out as a Digital Equity Champion because of his commitment to Hawai‘i and his national leadership. With every state now formulating Digital Equity Plans, champions like Burt are modeling what’s possible when states use holistic digital inclusion solutions to pave the way to future digital equity,” said Angela Siefer, NDIA executive director in a press release.

Photo credit: State of Hawaiʻi Governor’s Office