The IOKWE Cable System is a transformative subsea telecommunications project for the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). It integrates the archipelago into the global high-speed internet backbone via Google’s Pacific Connect initiative, as a branch to Google's Halaihai submarine cable connecting Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to French Polynesia and Chile, 

"Iokwe" translates to "Hello" or "Love" in Marshallese, symbolizing the nation's new digital handshake with the world.

The IOKWE Cable System acts as a dedicated "branch" cable to Google Halaihai submarine cable, part of Google's Central Pacific Connect initiative.

The IOKWE Cable System lands in Majuro and Ebeye, RMI.

The IOKWE project follows a "Sovereign Branch" model, ensuring the RMI maintains control over its critical infrastructure. 

The National Telecommunications Authority (NTA) of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is owner and operator of the IOKWE branch.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has provided a $3.4 million grant for the feasibility study and high-level design of the broader Central Pacific Cable (now Google's Central Pacific Connect initiative). The grant was $3.0 million and awarded to Tuvalu Telecom, but it was increased to $3.4 million with an expanded scope to benefit the RMI.

Furthermore, the U.S. government announced in early 2026 a $132 million funding package to support the RMI and American Samoa in joining the Pacific Connect initiative.

The IOKWE Cable System provides critical digital resilience for the RMI, as a backup and diverse route to the existing HANTRU-1 cable system connecting the Marshall Islands with Guam.