The Office of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) has announced the winners of the first State of Hawaiʻi Technology-Enhanced Business Capability Awards Program. The awards were presented during the Hawaiʻi Digital Government Summit in Waikīkī on December 4, recognizing projects from four state departments for their efforts to modernize state services through technology.
Among these projects, three received national recognition as finalists in the National Association of Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) Awards Program, with one project winning a top national award in its category.
Keith Regan, Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), emphasized the significance of improving digital experiences. "By maximizing emerging technologies, these teams not only raise the bar for how government can better serve the people, they also grow a more engaged constituency," said Regan.
James Kunane Tokioka, Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, attended the ceremony to support his department's winning teams. He stated, "It is important to recognize the progress made in modernizing our state systems and processes and I would like to congratulate all of the awardees for their commitment to advancing innovative programs and projects that benefit our residents."
Hawaiʻi Chief Information Officer Christine Sakuda expressed pride in the IT modernization work being done by state departments. "We are very proud of the IT modernization work being done by our state departments," she said. "These projects, and many others, directly impact and improve the lives of our residents."
The ETS provides governance for executive branch IT projects and aims to advance initiatives that increase efficiency and transparency within state government. It operates under DAGS and supports all state agencies by offering coordinated computer and telecommunication services.