Issue Position: Technology and Innovation
Issue Position
CREATING JOBS, BUILDING THE FUTURE
Too many of our young people feel that they can't make ends meet, let alone pursue their dreams at home in Hawaii. It is our most distressing trend. We can change this by weaving technology and innovation into our economy.
Technology and innovation have fundamentally changed how business is done and how people live their lives. We need to create an environment in Hawaii for innovative industries to thrive and simultaneously apply technology to all sectors. This will raise productivity and create good jobs in all areas of the economy and for all people.
It took a conscious effort by government to establish tourism in Hawaii, and it will require that same discipline to establish digital media, information technology, nanotechnology, ocean sciences, biotechnology, aerospace, astronomy, and other innovation fields. These industries bring dollars into Hawaii, often have minimal impacts on our environment, enhance the quality of education, lead our drive toward self-sufficiency, and create high paying jobs for our local families.
Hawaii has made strides with investments from the federal government and the hard work of leaders who have created thousands of good jobs. But competition is fierce and time is short. The economy has become globalized. If we don't meet the challenge to integrate technology and innovation into our economy within the next decade, Hawaii will be left behind. We need a long-term vision and the discipline to compete long-term. In 2007, the current administration launched its own "innovation initiative," and yet three years later our public policy in this arena is fragmented. Recent efforts to dismantle and renege on tech-related tax credits sent a message to businesses, investors, and our young talent that Hawaii's commitment to change is unreliable. It is the worst message we could have sent.
In an Abercrombie Administration, no one will question the totality of the state's commitment to technology and innovation. We won't have a Governor's policy and a legislature's policy and a private sector's policy. We will have one policy, Hawaii's policy, and we will unite around it. There will be collaborative public-private leadership. Because I have no other political ambition than to serve as Governor, I can assure the people of Hawaii that I will stay in office, make all necessary investments, work as a partner with industry, and see our initiatives through to completion.
The Abercrombie Plan
Create a Governor's Technology Council
The Abercrombie Administration will assemble a council representing entrepreneurs, investors, businesses, researchers, government, and others to implement and oversee the state's technology and innovation agenda and its integration with Hawaii's core industries. The Council will set goals for indicators such as cross-industry projects, tech-related jobs, UH technology transfer, entrepreneurial activity, workforce development, and infrastructure development. And it will design, evaluate and adjust the state's policy to reach those goals.
Support Science, Technology, and Innovation in Schools
As part of the Abercrombie plan to transform the school system, high standards will be developed to ensure that Hawaii's students are the most technologically savvy in the country, no matter where they live. Extensive public-private partnerships will help ensure every school has the infrastructure and expertise to make this so, and innovation at the school level will be encouraged, incentivized, and replicated. Public-private "Innovation Labs" will help to facilitate, coordinate, and support technology and innovation programs in our schools including robotics, digital media, and entrepreneurship. To help close the digital divide, there will be wireless broadband Internet and video conferencing in all public libraries to make educational programming and information available to everyone.
Integrate our University System with Local Business to Drive Economic Diversity and Prosperity
To achieve our goals, the University of Hawaii system and private business must work together to form the economic driver that we have talked about for decades. Closer collaboration with the private sector will help to transition millions in federally funded research and development activity into products and services that can lead to the startup and prosperity of world-class technology companies in Hawaii, that will stay in Hawaii. Under its new President, UH has already set a course in this direction, and in an Abercrombie Administration, it will have the full backing of the state government to lead this charge.
Develop a A New Regime of Tech Incentives and Capital Formation Supports
Hawaii's tax incentives for investment may have been imperfect, but they were visionary. They provided a glimpse of what is possible in Hawaii--that we have the talent to build a viable technology sector. It is now time to construct a new policy regime, not only with incentives to attract investment, but also with additional supports to help businesses become viable here in Hawaii and create jobs for our people. This new policy regime would include a package of redesigned tax incentives for companies at all stages of development including incentives for research and development activities, state follow-on funding for commercialization, implementation of the State Private Investment Fund, and the designation of a larger portion of local investment funds into venture capital. A reliable supply of capital is absolutely essential if we are serious about creating good tech-related jobs in Hawaii.
Build Tech Development and Commercialization Centers
Hawaii needs well-planned and resourced facilities for tech companies to incubate and grow so they can compete with ventures in other states and countries. Federal funding and government lands will be used in public-private partnerships to develop and improve tech parks across our islands.
Appoint a Chief Information Officer of the State
Hawaii is wasting countless millions of tax dollars each year because of antiquated and un-integrated information systems. These inefficiencies hamper private business activity and create endless frustration for government employees and citizens. A State Chief Information Officer with clear goals and benchmarks will be empowered to systematically redesign government through the creative and inspiring use of technology. It is estimated that tens of millions of dollars could be saved in the Department of Education alone with better decisions and implementation of technology. Government must lead by example to help all sectors of the economy become more infused with technology, to increase cost-effectiveness and competitiveness, and improve quality.
Improve the Climate for Businesses by Improving Government Processes
Key to moving technology and innovation in Hawaii is a comprehensive plan to improve the climate for business, which means government needs to get its house in order and become a better partner with the private sector. For more information, see my plan for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. This means tackling government permitting and regulatory processes so that they are less burdensome, providing enhanced assistance for accessing federal funding opportunities, purchasing from local vendors, protecting and marketing Hawaii's brands, teaching business skills, and reforming procurement processes so that they are fair and sensible.
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