Posted on: Friday, February 4, 2005
Leeward no-phone zone connected
By Will Hoover
Advertiser Leeward O'ahu Writer
KA'ENA POINT — Thousands of Hawai'i residents will now be able to use their cell phones from what was previously an 8-mile no-phone zone between Makaha and Ka'ena Point, according to a representative for Cingular, formerly AT&T Wireless.
"Essentially, it means anyone with a Cingular or AT&T GSM cell phone can now make a call anywhere on the Wai'anae Coast."
Guild said the antenna, installed near Kea'au Beach Park, covers the stretch from Makaha to Ke'ana Point. It's a virtual wilderness that's popular for fishing, diving and surfing.
Previously, the 8-mile zone had never had cell-phone service. And three years ago Verizon removed the last pay phone in the area, leaving it with no telephone service of any kind. Wai'anae Coast residents complained that there was no way to make a phone call during an emergency.
Yesterday, the Cingular signal was clear and strong along most of the two-lane highway from Makaha to Ka'ena Point State Park, although it faded out briefly near the entrance of the Makua Military Reservation.
Guild said the service is compatible only with the company's newer GSM-style cell phones (Global System for Mobile). Older-style TDMA cell phones (Time Division Multiple Access) do not work in the 8-mile zone.
Guild said the cost of installing the antenna had not been ascertained. She also said the number of Hawai'i subscribers who have the company's GSM cell phones is proprietary information, although she said the figure is in the "tens of thousands."
"It's a start," said Jo Jordan, who heads the parks and recreation committee for the Wai'anae Coast Neighborhood Board. "We're, of course, happy to finally have cell-phone service there — even if it is limited."
In November Verizon installed two yellow emergency phones in the area at a cost of $80,000 — although the company has since been unable to get either phone to operate. A Verizon spokesperson said in late January that the company is working to correct the problem as quickly as possible.
On previous occasions, Verizon said that installing a cell-phone antenna in extreme western O'ahu was not economically feasible. But Cingular said it is pleased to provide the service.
"This is important for the people on the Wai'anae Coast, as well as people who travel out there," Guild said. "Now, you will finally be able to make the call. Now, someone will hear you."
Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8038.
"Construction on a new cell-phone antenna was completed and tested in January," said Cingular spokeswoman Lissa Guild. "And as of the first of February, it was up and running.
