“The Next Era for Tech and Innovation in Hawaii”
HVCA’s October luncheon at the Plaza Club featured gubernatorial candidates David Ige, Duke Aiona, Mufi Hannemann, and Jeff Davis, in what was the last gubernatorial forum before the 2014 election. Candidates discussed their positions on furthering diversification, innovation, and growth in Hawaii’s innovation and technology sectors. The event was attended by over 100 people hoping to hear how the candidates planned to take Hawaii tech into the future. The candidates were each given the chance to deliver brief opening and closing remarks, however, the majority of time was alloted for a live Q&A discussion with audience members. Audience participants submitted their questions in real time utilizing Hawaii company LiveSift’s Smart Meeting Platform. The gubernatorial forum was moderated by HVCA president Meli James, who kept the candidates in line, on time, and for the most part on point. Candidates touched on many of Hawaii’s pressing tech issues including: being competitive in a global setting, the creation of jobs in the tech industry, and why they were the best fit to lead Hawaii’s tech future.
Please join us at our next exciting year-end event Growing Hawaii’s Innovation Economy on December 5. This event will showcase the Hawaii Business Roundtable’s two-year report on the state of innovation in Hawaii. The event will also feature a keynote by Professor Enrico Moretti, author of The New Geography of Jobs, on the importance and role of the innovation sector in generating economic growth and new jobs in the economy. The year-end event will take place at the new ProtoHUB for light pupus, drinks, and networking opportunities with Hawaii’s innovation community. The event will be free to all HVCA members and open to the paying public while tickets last. Stay tuned for more exciting HVCA updates.