IEEE Milestones Program
The IEEE Milestones program honors significant technical achievements in all areas associated with IEEE. The designated fields (per IEEE Bylaw I-104.11 ) are: Engineering, Computer Sciences and Information Technology, Physical Sciences, Biological and Medical Sciences, Mathematics, Technical Communications, Education, Management, and Law and Policy. It is a program of the IEEE History Committee, administered through the IEEE History Center. IEEE Milestones recognize the technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity found in unique products, services, seminal papers and patents. Milestones honor the achievement, rather than a place or a person. Milestones are proposed by any IEEE member, and are sponsored by any one or more IEEE Organizational Unit(s) (OU) such as IEEE section(s), society(ies), chapter(s) or student branch(es).
For more information, visit https://ieeemilestones.ethw.org/Main_Page
IEEE Hawaii Section Milestones
ALOHAnet, 1971
In June 1971, the ALOHA packet radio data network began providing inter-island access to computing facilities at the University of Hawaii. ALOHAnet was the first to demonstrate that communication channels could be effectively and efficiently shared on a large scale using simple random access protocols. It led directly to the development of Ethernet and personal wireless communication technologies.
TPC-1 Transpacific Cable System, 1964
The transpacific undersea coaxial telephone cable system linking Japan, Hawaii, and the U.S. mainland became operational in 1964. President Lyndon Johnson and Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda inaugurated this communications link on 19 June 1964. The joint project involving American Telephone and Telegraph, Hawaiian Telephone Company, and Kokusai Denshin Denwa improved global communication and contributed to deep-water submarine cable technologies.
Hawaiian Telecom Headquarters in Honolulu on November 11, 2014. IEEE attendees: Al Toda (Hawaii Section Vice-Chair), Tom Coughlin (Region 6 Director-Elect), John Borland (Hawaii Section Chair), Grant Torigoe (Hawaii Section Secretary).
Electric Lighting of the Kingdom of Hawaii 1886-1888
In November 1886, electric lights illuminated Iolani Palace’s grounds for King Kalakaua’s 50th birthday celebrations. By March 1887, the Palace had 325 incandescent lights installed within its 104 rooms. The king’s action promoted economic development and accelerated implementation of electric lighting of the town of Honolulu on 23 March 1888.