This paper examines past and present developments in the State of Hawaii's telecommunications infrastructure. fledgling information industry and proposed statewide internetwork. It briefly summarizes the history of telecommunications within the state over a 100 year period. The author cites recent examples of local successes and failures in providing public access networks. Specifically, a mini-case study reviews the state government's efforts to provide a public access network via its network development agency, Hawaii Information Network Corporation (Hawaii INC). A summary suggests lessons to be learned from this project and what the key drivers may be for Hawaii's successful development of an information industry in the future.