Gov. Neil Abercrombie today signed a bill into law to temporarily exempt the development of broadband infrastructure from state and county permitting requirements.

The law allows for permitting exemptions for five years – from 2012 to 2017 – on broadband upgrades on existing utility poles and conduits used for telecommunications. Telecommunications companies would also be exempt from new utility pole replacement regulations on broadband upgrades.

The law is intended to expand access to high-speed Internet service in Hawaii.

“This is the first major step, I believe, in making a commitment to broadband expansion and capacity and availability that will literally give us the opportunity to have a future here in Hawaii, most particularly a future for our young people,” Abercrombie said.

The Hawaii broadband task force has posted an interactive map for consumers to find broadband access.

Hawaii Economic Development and Tourism Director Richard Lim made a change to the plans for an inter-island cable to transmit electricity from Big Wind projects on Lanai, Molokai, and Maui.

Lim told his audience: “…we are advocating the construction of an undersea cable to connect the islands with energy and broadband….” Broadband has not previously been part of the Big Wind cable project.

Does this mean the Inter-island Cable to be built without obtaining any State or County permits?  Or was this done to tap into the Federal broadband funds? Or both?