Supporters of Akaku Maui Community Media speak out in favor of preserving the budget for its access channels and production. Gary Kubota photo/The Maui News

With a song and a Hawaiian chant, supporters of nonprofit Akaku Maui Community Media testified for more than four hours in favor of preserving the budget for its access channels and production.

“I’m here to tell you the voices of our ancestors have been told only by Akaku,” said Hawaiian cultural advocate Kimokeo Kapahulehua. “Nothing’s broken with Akaku.”

As the state considers issuing a 15-year license to Spectrum Oceanic LLC in Maui County, supporters of Akaku on Monday said they’re worried a new agreement will lead to budget cuts at Maui public access cable channels and production.

Clare Apana, head of Malama Kakanilua who has opposed the expansion of the Grand Wailea in light of ancestral burials, said Akaku is an “important microphone to get the word out.”

Mark Hymas, the state Department of Education television production crew chief on Maui, said he was worried about wording that could allow his nonprofit public facility to be charged by a cable provider.

“Up until now, such services have been included free of charge as part of the franchise agreement,” Hymas said.

Akaku president and chief executive officer Jay April conservatively estimates his organization’s budget may be cut by as much as $225,000 as state officials consider new rules, including one to pay for maintaining INET — a broadband high-speed internet provider that connects designated federal, state and county agencies directly without a third party provider.

Maui Police Department communications coordinator Walter Pacheco said the INET is critical in providing direct information during emergencies.

Akaku president Jay April said his group hasn’t had to pay for the maintenance of INET in the past.

He said he hasn’t been told what the financial impact will be if the state moves ahead with adding the cost of INET to Akaku’s budget.

April said Akaku receives about $1.3 million in cable franchise revenues, and about a quarter of the amount goes to providing services for educational programming at the University of Hawaii.

Much of the remaining $2.3 million in 2023 came from contracts with Maui County to record live meetings of the County Council, boards and commissions, as well as some contracts for services and donations.

April said that historically, cable providers laid cable to “sweeten the deal” with the state and attract customers.

“They did it voluntarily,” he said. “This is the way it’s been for years.”

Department officials said that during the Trump administration, the Federal Communications Commission passed a new rule called Order 621 that limits excessive franchise fees for broadband internet provided by cable companies.

Officials noted the department joined the City of Eugene, Oregon in challenging the order but lost in the Sixth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Department officials said testimonies will be accepted until Dec. 18, after which department director Nadine Ando has 90 days to make a decision and issue an order.

Comments may be sent via email to cabletv@dcca.hawaii.gov or by mail to the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs P.O. Box 541, Honolulu, HI 96809.