Free Community Network — Kāneʻohe Bay, Hawaiʻi

K-Bay Connects.

A free, off-grid LAN communication system built for the water. No app. No account. No internet.

How to Connect About the Project
Network Live Coverage active across Kāneʻohe Bay and sections of the shoreline May 2026 — Present
How It Works

Connect in seconds.

Step 1 — Join the Network
Look for the K-Bay Connects Wi-Fi network on your device and connect to it. Your browser will automatically open a portal page — no login or password needed to join.
Step 2 — Accept the Portal
The portal page opens automatically. Tap Install Certificate (one-time — keeps your connection private), then tap Connect to K-Bay. The app opens at:
https://kbc.local
Choose Your Role
Pick a username and select a role — Guest users need no password. Enter the chat and start communicating with others on the network within range.
Start Communicating
The chat is open, free, and requires no internet connection. It works entirely within the local network — even during outages, storms, or emergencies when normal infrastructure may not be available.
Private & Encrypted

Install the certificate once — your messages stay private.

When you tap Install Certificate on the portal, the page guides you directly to the right place on your device. It only needs to be done once — after that, K-Bay Connects loads securely with no warnings.

iPhone & iPad (iOS)
  1. Tap Install Certificate on the portal
  2. Tap Open VPN & Device Management (button appears automatically) → tap K-Bay Connects → Install
  3. Tap Open Settings → About (button appears) → scroll to Certificate Trust Settings → enable K-Bay Connects CA
Android
  1. Tap Install Certificate — file saves to Downloads
  2. Tap the notification that appears at the top of your screen
  3. Enter any name → select CA certificate → OK
Windows & Mac
  1. Tap Install Certificate — file saves to your Downloads folder as KBC-CA.crt
  2. Double-click it → Install Certificate
  3. Select Trusted Root Certification Authorities → Finish
About K-Bay Connects

Built for the bay.
Ready when it matters.

K-Bay Connects is a locally maintained, LAN-based communication network designed for the Kāneʻohe Bay community. It was built as a simple, off-grid communication system — especially useful during power outages, storms, or emergencies when normal infrastructure may not be reliable.

The system is not connected to the internet. All communication stays within the local network. Solar-powered infrastructure keeps the system running independently of the grid.

All systems operate within FCC EIRP limits. Coverage and capability are still expanding. Please keep it respectful so the network can remain public and open for everyone.

Status Live — Active
Coverage Kāneʻohe Bay + Shoreline
Internet Required No
Account / Login Required No
App Required No
Power Source Solar + Battery — Off Grid
RF Compliance Within FCC EIRP Limits — 47 CFR Part 15 · §15.247
Cost Free
Chat Online
Maps Online
Tides Online
NOAA Weather Radio Unknown
NOAA Satellite Unknown
Keep it respectful. K-Bay Connects is a public, open network for the entire community. Please use it responsibly so it can remain free and available to everyone — especially during emergencies when it matters most.
Questions? Suggestions?
Get in touch.
View R&D Projects → Contact Us →