HI. TECH
New governor needs to produce more than lofty talk about high-tech

By John Duchemin
Advertiser Staff Writer

•	Hawai'i technology on public radio Hear The Advertiser's John Duchemin and the latest Hawai'i technology news every Wednesday on Think Tech Hawai'i, 5 to 6 p.m. on Hawai'i Public Radio KIPO FM 89.3, with hosts Jay Fidell and Gordon Bruce. Tomorrow: Evan Dobelle, president of the University of Hawai'i, discussing "The University's Vision for Tech in Hawai'i." Phone lines will be open for comments or questions about Hawai'i's tech industry. On O'ahu, call 941-3689. From the Neighbor Islands, call toll-free (877) 941-3689.

That the candidates would choose a technology forum for one of their rare public debates shows that both consider the industry an important player in next week's election, and both filled their remarks with phrases pleasing to the high-tech community. But instead of sharing detailed plans on how they would stimulate high-tech Hawai'i, the candidates spoke in generalities.

Both said that technology is great, the University of Hawai'i needs support, the Act 221 high-tech tax credit is good.

Said Hirono: "The future is limited only by our imagination and our conviction to make technology the way we are going to create good paying jobs."

Said Lingle: "Technology is critical for a diverse economy."

Such statements are political no-brainers, given the event's audience of highly interested technology professionals, and its sponsorship by the Hawai'i Technology Trade Association and the Hawai'i Venture Capital Association.

But for two candidates campaigning on agendas of change, the words often sounded remarkably similar to the broadly supportive statements from Hawai'i governors as far back as George Ariyoshi. That may be fine for the general public — but not when presented as action plans to the specialized audience of technology backers, including many veterans of the industry's painful struggle for survival since 9/11.

Hirono promised to support education and training programs that lead to a skilled work force, but mentioned no specific dollar amounts she would add to such programs' budgets. She said marketing Hawai'i as a place for high-tech business is important, but didn't say how it should be done, or with what money.

Hirono also said she would create a public-private "technology action group" that would be part of an Economic Expansion Council tasked with promoting growth. Her vision resembles the Cayetano administration's Economic Revitalization Task Force of 1998 — deemed by many as a blow to business's confidence in government because it produced few lasting results.

Lingle's ideas were slightly more detailed, but still short on specifics.

She promised to seek $100 million in additional appropriations for the University of Hawai'i over the next three years, but didn't say how that money would be spent to make UH an engine of high-tech growth.

She promised to slash government regulations on small businesses, but didn't say which ones, or how fewer regulations would help create more jobs.

She said the state needs to attract high-tech companies, but didn't indicate how she would succeed better than previous governors.

The most specific both candidates got was agreeing that the position of "tech czar," created by Gov. Ben Cayetano and held by Joseph Blanco, should be abolished. But that is of little surprise; the position has repeatedly been targeted for elimination by the state Legislature, and critics have long complained that Blanco's duties overlap with those of other government officials.

Their stand on the tech czar aside, the candidates left too many questions unanswered. Twenty years ago, their general statements may have been palatable.

But the Hawai'i technology community has progressed to the point that generalities and cheerleading seems obsolete. To maintain credibility with the industry, and thus remain a force in its development, the next governor needs to produce an articulate, detailed plan.

Reach John Duchemin by e-mail at jduchemin@honoluluadvertiser.com or by phone at 525-8062.