WFN Strategies Awarded Purchaser's Representative Contract for Hawaiian Telcom's Kunoa North Submarine Cable Project

WFN Strategies Press Release
July 7, 2026

Sterling, Virginia — WFN Strategies is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract by Hawaiian Telcom to provide Purchaser's Representative (PR) services in support of the Kunoa North submarine cable system.

Under the agreement, WFN Strategies will provide experienced offshore Purchaser's Representatives to oversee marine operations during the Kunoa North Marine Route Survey, scheduled for 2026, with support continuing through the cable installation campaign planned for 2028. WFN personnel will serve as Hawaiian Telcom's onboard representatives, monitoring contractor performance, verifying compliance with contractual, technical, safety, and environmental requirements, and providing independent reporting throughout project execution.

Kunoa North is a major investment in Hawaii's communications infrastructure that will strengthen inter-island connectivity, improve network resilience, and provide additional long-term digital capacity for residents, businesses, government agencies, and critical services across the Hawaiian Islands. The project represents another significant milestone in the continued modernization of Hawaii's telecommunications infrastructure.

“We are honored that Hawaiian Telcom has selected WFN Strategies to support this important project,” said Wayne Nielsen, Managing Director of WFN Strategies. “Submarine cable systems are among the world's most critical infrastructure assets, and effective owner representation is essential to ensuring successful offshore execution. Our team looks forward to working closely with Hawaiian Telcom to help deliver Kunoa North safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards of quality.”

WFN Strategies has supported more than 225 submarine telecommunications infrastructure projects worldwide since its founding in 2001, providing engineering, procurement, implementation, project management, marine assurance, and owner's representative services across commercial, governmental, hyperscale, and offshore energy sectors. The firm's offshore specialists have extensive experience supporting marine route surveys, cable installations, repairs, commissioning activities, and operational oversight throughout the Pacific and around the world.

As Hawaiian Telcom's independent representative aboard survey and installation vessels, WFN will provide real-time operational oversight, contractor coordination, progress verification, safety observation, issue escalation, and detailed reporting to ensure project activities remain aligned with contractual obligations and project objectives. Leveraging WFN's PM 2.0® reporting framework and integrated ISO-certified management systems, the company will provide Hawaiian Telcom with continuous operational visibility and disciplined project governance throughout execution.

This award further strengthens WFN Strategies' position as a leading provider of independent owner's representative and implementation support services for submarine cable systems worldwide. Kunoa North is the latest addition to the company's growing portfolio of projects supporting critical communications infrastructure throughout the Indo-Pacific, complementing ongoing programs in Alaska and across the Pacific, as well as major international implementation support initiatives including El Salvador's first submarine cable system. Together, these projects reflect WFN's continued commitment to helping governments, carriers, and infrastructure investors deliver resilient, high-capacity communications networks in strategically important regions.

About WFN Strategies

Founded in 2001, WFN Strategies (www.wfnstrategies.com) is an independent consulting and engineering firm specializing exclusively in submarine fiber optic, power, and hybrid cable systems. The company provides services across the complete project lifecycle, including feasibility studies, route engineering, procurement support, implementation management, marine assurance, owner's representation, regulatory support, and operational consulting. WFN has supported more than 180 submarine cable projects worldwide and maintains ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, and ISO 45001 certified management systems.

Media Contact

Kieran Clark, Project Engineer
WFN Strategies
+1 (540) 533-6965
[email protected]