Posted on: Friday, October 8, 2004

EDITORIAL
'One stop' Web site should be city, state

Hawai'i has long suffered with an image of being far from business-friendly.

Sometimes that image stems less from specific anti-business laws and more out of frustration over red tape and endless government delays.

Toward that end, it is good news that the Lingle administration has moved vigorously to improve both the process and our image by launching a Web site called Hawaii Business Express. On this site, people hoping to start a new business can register and complete paperwork with four different state and federal agencies, all at the same time.

That's a huge improvement over standing in line at four offices.

Now, how about building on this progress? There is no reason why almost every agency could not be found in the same location with the same basic set of information demands.

In fact, the way to make this work is to combine both city and state agencies on the same site. This may require some coordination, but it certainly can be done.

This is particularly so since Honolulu already has its own version of a Web site where people and businesses can go for information and conduct some city business.

Politics aside, a Web site like this would be good for business, good for Hawai'i's reputation and good for the state and city. Let's do it.