by Andrew Walden (updated May 24, 2024)
At a May 20, 2024, US Marshall’s Auction on the steps of the Honolulu Federal Courthouse, Hawaiian Tel won ownership of the former assets of Sandwich Isles Communications.
Their bid: $500K plus another $500K if the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), holding the former SIC assets, is able to complete the transaction as prescribed in the bid sheet.
Politically connected felon and ex-con Al Hee has waged a lengthy and unsuccessful court battle against federal seizure of his former SIC assets. And he is not done losing.
In a May 24, 2024 news release, DHHL warns, "Today, up to 1,500 households and businesses on Hawaiian Home Lands are facing a sudden loss of phone and/or internet service provided by Sandwich Isles Communications (SIC)…. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) urges any beneficiaries who receive service from SIC to immediately switch their service to another provider to avoid interruption of their phone and/or internet service.”
The responses from the Hee camp have been self-serving:
--May 24, 2024: "SIC has never lied to you. DHHL cannot say the same. Please excuse Mr. Tengan since he was not yet in high school when this began."
--May 28, 2024: “SIC is trying to find a way to continue to provide service to you, however, selecting Hawaiian Telcom's bid makes that impossible.”
According to the ‘Notice Of Successful Bid Following Public Auction’ filed May 21, 2024, in Federal Court:
“HTI intends to leverage RUS’s substantial existing investment in the Hawaiian Home Lands by integrating the Acquired Assets into HTI’s existing state-of-the art telecommunications footprint already in certain parts of the Hawaiian Home Lands and surrounding areas. HTI believes such integration will extend and accelerate the ability to provide modern communications services (including broadband), information services and associated communications services to residents of the Hawaiian Home Lands.”
Notably, Hawaiian Tel’s bid excludes, SIC’s “existing customer relationships.” Those relationships may yet be obliterated in a separate federal foreclosure action.
A May 20, 2024, DHHL news release: “launch(es) a supplementary website aimed at addressing phone and internet service disruptions caused by Sandwich Isles Communications (SIC) within our homestead communities.”
DHHL’s supplementary website provides contact information for Hawaiian Tel and Spectrum and warns homesteaders:
“DHHL Urges Customers of Sandwich Isles Communications (SIC) to Immediately Switch Phone & Internet Service Providers… SIC is facing foreclosure by the federal government due to nonpayment of a major loan. Your SIC phone and/or internet service may stop working without warning. To avoid disruption to your service, sign up for new service today.
“The company is facing foreclosure because it defaulted on a major loan. In a separate case, a jury found that an SIC executive used company money for personal luxuries.”
According to DHHL:
“If you receive phone service from SIC and wish to keep your current phone number:
• Inform Hawaiian Telcom or Spectrum when you sign up for new phone service.
• They will need SIC to cooperate in transferring your current number to your new service.
• Given SIC’s legal and financial issues, this could delay setting up your new service.
• If SIC fails to cooperate, you may need to be assigned a new telephone number.”
PDF: Notice Of Successful Bid Following Public Auction
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DHHL LAUNCHES WEBSITE TO MITIGATE DISRUPTIONS TO HOMESTEAD BROADBAND SERVICES
Beneficiaries impacted to receive crucial updates and resources
News Release from DHHL, May 20, 2024
(KAPOLEI, OʻAHU) – The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) has launched a supplementary website aimed at addressing phone and internet service disruptions caused by Sandwich Isles Communications (SIC) within our homestead communities.
Pertinent updates, resources, and detailed information to the activities and initiatives of the department will be shared to minimize impact to our beneficiaries.
The establishment of this website underscores DHHL’s commitment to transparency, community involvement, and the distribution of vital information.
To access the supplementary site, visit the department’s Broadband Program webpage.
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May 29, 2024 Update: DHHL Letter to Lessees
COVERAGE:
SANDWICH ISLES SCAM HISTORY:
2023: After Indictments, Al Hee Took $9M More
2021: Trustee: Criminal Al Hee Rakes in $15M While on Parole
2020: FCC Fines Al Hee $49M for Fraud
2019: Ige Appoints Clayton Hee to Hawaii Paroling Authority
2018: Al Hee Sues Water Board Because Rail Project Not Rerouted to Protect His Tax Scam
2017: Al Hee Minion Robin Danner Grabs for Control of Crooked Sandwich Isles Scam Company
2015: 200 pages of Hawaii Political insiders support letters for Al Hee
2014: Anti-Hee Campaign Mailer
2014: Corruption: Al Hee Indicted on 13 Counts--Could Get 39 Years in Federal Prison
2013: Feds Bust Sandwich Isles Com: $25M/year Funneled to Hee Company
2012: Hee: Sandwich Isles Communications "Will Quickly Face Bankruptcy"
2012: FCC Closes in on Sandwich Isles Scam as Abercrombie Prepares to Give Al Hee $100M
2011: Abercrombie appoints former Sandwich Isles Communications Exec to assist Chief Information Officer
2010: Campaign contributions: Inouye pushing for more Sandwich Isles Communications funding?
2009: Congressional report nails Sandwich Isles Communications: One of worst ten abusers
2005: Sandwich Isles Communications: Political Connections Pay Off
2002: Forbes: Dreaming and scheming Hawaiian style