Hawaii will switch to digital on January 15, 2009, rather than the national date of February 17, 2009. According to the Hawaiian Association of Broadcasters, "the early analog shut-off was prompted by conversations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which advised them to 'deconstruct' their analog facilities early to avoid the Hawaiian petrel breeding season on Maui."
A website has been set up by the association to help viewers with the transition. So far, the take-up rate for digital converter box coupons in Hawaii has been relatively low.
The FCC has allowed broadcasters to convert to digital up to 90 days before the national switchover, as long as they inform their viewers ahead of time. Wilmington, North Carolina has already converted, and other stations plan to switch early as well, particularly in states with harsh winters where a February technical switch would be infeasible.
Source: Broadcasting & Cable, 10/15/2008