Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday applauded an effort by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to promote innovation and technology among Native Hawaiian businesses.

Lingle was the keynote speaker at the second Hawaiian Business Conference and Economic Expo at the Hawai'i Convention Center. About 300 people are attending the conference, which ends this afternoon.

During her luncheon address, the governor talked about her effort to move the state's economy away from land development in favor of promoting innovation in science and technology. Lingle praised OHA for sponsoring the conference because she said it brings together people who are at the forefront of technology.

"The key to success in business has always been networking and collaboration, but it's even more important in innovation," Lingle said. "With conferences such as this we have a great opportunity to come together, hundreds of us, and talk to each other about what we're doing."

Lingle said OHA already has taken steps to ensure that Hawaiians aren't left behind as innovation and technology advance. She cited as examples the Mana Hawai'i retail complex in Waikiki, which features Hawai'i-made products that promote the Hawaiian culture, and also the Native Hawaiian community's efforts to protect intellectual property rights and cultural trademarks.

"When you're an island 2,300 miles from anywhere you have got to be better than other places," Lingle said. "You've got to be faster, you've got to be more creative."

But Lingle said much more needs to be done and she was critical of this past Legislature for not approving more of her innovation and technology package.

"The Legislature is living in the past," she said. "They don't understand that, while they have a certain pace, the world's pace is much, much different than theirs and we've got to step it up."

OHA Chairwoman Haunani Apoliona said conference organizers hope to promote a greater economic future and livelihood for Native Hawaiians. She said OHA wants to "connect people and get different ideas and innovation into a common discussion."

"It's really about getting them to have confidence in their ideas, helping them to stimulate ideas and making sure that they find partners in their efforts," Apoliona said.

She said attendance at this year's conference is larger than last year's inaugural event, which Apoliona said shows that interest among Native Hawaiians is growing. Apoliona said the Office of Hawaiian Affairs also expanded the agenda by inviting representatives from the Native Alaska community to take part in this year's conference.

"We have very common ties and common issues and that will certainly be increasingly important as we go forward with our own self-determination efforts," she said.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.