WASHINGTON — More than 23,000 Hawai'i homes receiving television signals solely from over-the-air broadcasts will have to install a digital converter by Feb. 17, 2009, to continue viewing programs.

Federal and state officials as well as broadcasters are trying to get the message out as local TV stations head for the deadline to pull the plug on their over-the-air analog signals.

In Hawai'i, the problem is not as large as most other states because only about 5.5 percent of the state's 424,000 television households rely exclusively on over-the-air broadcast signals.

The remaining 94.5 percent have either cable or satellite TV service, which will not be affected by the change.

Across the country, 20 million households rely completely on traditional broadcast signals and another 14.6 million homes with cable service keep one or more TVs that continue to use antennas, according to the National Association of Broadcasters.

Congress mandated the shift to digital TV signals to provide more airwave spectrum for public safety communications and to generate billions of dollars for the treasury by auctioning spectrum to commercial users.

Viewers will get clearer, sharper pictures and better sound. The technology also allows the transmission of several programs at once and interactive video and data services.

Officials are concerned that people, especially the elderly, poor, and rural residents, may not get the word about the transition or understand they can keep their older sets operating by getting a converter box.

"Since many households that could be impacted by the switch are difficult to reach, it is critical that our outreach efforts are early, broad and sustained," said Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona Jr., who is pushing the transition message for the state.

Chris Murray, senior counsel for Consumers Union, said the government and broadcasters seem to be falling short when it comes to informing people about the transition and what they need to do.

"We're a little behind the ball," he said. "We're afraid that there has not been enough coordination, enough public education or enough reliable information about how consumers can make the switch at the lowest possible cost."

A recent survey by Consumer Reports found major confusion about the transition, with 33 percent of people in homes relying on over-the-air signals unaware of the impending changes.

"There are still a lot of people who have heard about digital television transition but don't really understand what it means," said Chris Leonard, president of the Hawai'i Broadcasters Association.

The association's stations are running educational campaigns and sending speakers to various groups to talk about the transition, what they need to do and how they need to do it, said Leonard, general manager of New West Broadcasting on the Big Island.

Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawai'i, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the issue, said Hawai'i may be better able than many other states to cope with the transition.

"Our state, although isolated, is small enough where we can get in touch with people," he said.

But another problem may be getting help to those needing to put in a converter box, Inouye said.

"It's easy to say, 'Here's the converter box, just put it in place,' " Inouye said. "Not everyone can read instructions and make sense out of them."

Inouye said that civic and school groups could make it a project to reach out to those who need help.

To make the transition to digital, viewers can buy a new digital television set or purchase cable or satellite television service.

But the cheapest way to make the transition is to obtain the government's $40 coupons, limited to two per household, and purchase a converter box that retails for $40 to $70.

The box attaches between the antenna and the TV set and will change the digital signals to analog so older TVs can display them.

So far, Hawai'i households have requested 9,200 coupons. Nationally, more than 8 million coupons have been ordered.

The converters are available at Wal-Mart, Circuit City, Best Buy, RadioShack and some smaller retailers (see box). They also are available online from some authorized sites and by telephone.

But another problem is that the coupons are good for only 90 days and can't be replaced if someone waits past the three-month validation or loses them.

Murray with Consumers Union said the three-month time frame could present some problems, especially for rural residents, if local retailers don't have the converter boxes in stock.

Inouye said that Congress would extend the period for using the coupons "because the supply isn't there yet."

Reach Dennis Camire at dcamire@gns.gannett.com.

Correction: Hawai'i public libraries do not have $40 coupons to buy television converter boxes. A previous version of this story had misleading information. Two easy ways to get a coupon are to go to www.dtv2009.gov and fill out an application or call 888-388-2009.