Hawaii

Plus, the FCC is taking steps to update broadband data collection, more states have had their initial proposals for BEAD funding approved, Oakland got a grant to expand broadband infrastructure, and more.

State and municipal agencies and one of the nation’s most populous counties are integrating AI and GIS into their permitting systems, adding automation and enhancing transparency to improve service and accountability.

Most recently the executive director of the nonprofit Transform Hawaii Government, she will replace Doug Murdock as CIO and lead the state Office of Enterprise Technology Services starting Aug. 5.

Legislation awaiting Gov. Josh Green’s signature would have the state chief information officer no longer report directly to the governor. Critics say this could diminish the role and have a chilling effect on innovation.

The state’s chief information officer of more than five years has a varied background that includes 25 years in the U.S. Air Force. In Hawaii, he helped modernize and consolidate IT infrastructure.

CIO, Hawaii

The Hawai'i State Department of Education has flagged the fire-alarm systems at 15 of the state's 264 schools as inoperable and needing replacement — a concern in the wake of last summer's wildfires on Maui.

The deal comes amid a period of growth for MDF, which recently began working with the state of Hawaii. KKR’s $189 million plan, still subject to shareholder approval, reflects the growing presence of private equity in gov tech.

The Hawaii Department of Education's new data portal tracks 22 data sets related to student proficiency and learning, the educator workforce and school operations, with more data sets to be added over time.

A state agency is seeking more than $60 million to upgrade a centralized financial management system after halting botched work on the critical project last year.

Plus, the Broadband Infrastructure Playbook 3.0 arrives, the NTCA launches a new ad campaign promoting a sustainable Universal Service Fund, and more.

Rebecca Cai has been named Hawaii’s first chief data officer. She brings experience from an identical role in New York state government.

We run down a list of some of the government actions taking place for the week. Plus, Kansas releases its broadband digital equity plan for public comment, and a research program seeks to advance health equity.

In preparation for the draining of the Navy's underground Red Hill fuel storage facility, the University of Hawaii at Manoa launched an online hub of data and tools that could be used for education and research.

Plus, more than 20 million households have now enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program; Sen. Warnock urges the FCC to fight digital discrimination; a bipartisan group in the U.S. House requests ACP extension; and more.

Neither the Hawaii Department of Education nor the University of Hawaii are considering outright bans on ChatGPT, but educators are waiting for more professional development or guidance how to use it.

Electric motor coaches are taking to the streets in Hawaii and California. Roberts Hawaii, a tour bus company in the Aloha State, has become the first electric fleet of its kind in the United States.

Plus, organizations urge Congress to support legislation for rural communities; a report explores redundancies in federal broadband programs; and much more.