The day we arrived in Vancouver last week, I flagged a news story announcing that the region’s transit agency will be offering free Wi-Fi for passengers using its buses, trains, and ferries.
The service will be provided by Shaw Communications, a major Canadian telecommunications company.
Shaw was already providing free internet access at ferry terminals, and it developing the infrastructure to support the full transit system.
And Vancouver already provides over 500 Wi-Fi hotspots around the city where free internet access is available.
Apparently this accessible communications system reflects the City of Vancouver’s digital strategy.
Honolulu’s attempt to implement a free Wi-Fi system lags far behind. As I understand, it is now available only at a handful of city facilities.
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And Honolulu’s effort is surprising because…?
Ian: May as well forget about free WiFi Honolulu lags far behind in many infrastructure projects: light rail, Natatorium, Aloha Stadium, Blaisdell complex, Ala moana park improvements, Honolulu Airport etc., etc. State lags in IT–tax dept., state payroll, education, (including maintenence), UH accumulated backlog, Kaneohe State Hospital, prison complex, etc. etc. I often say Hawaii’ s government efficiency is Third World, and professional journalists said one of most corrupt.
That’s certainly a very dismal “big picture”.
Gosh, Stanford, if I had known almost 35 years ago that Honolulu would be as far behind as you say it is, maybe I wouldn’t have moved here. Just kidding. How about sharing with us what you are doing to improve things on our beautiful island.
I have participated in the political and civic system since I was in middle school- (starting with canvasing for Johnson when Goldwater ran); donated, demonstrated, petitioned, letters to the editor; now add: social networking to encourage participation and debate. Its our government and political third world mentality of cronyism, old boy network, “you scratch my back I scratch yours” culture that has resulted in government inefficiency, corruption, and waste–and remember its our money being wasted. Our people, weather, and culture are unmatched–that’s why I moved back here after several years on the mainland–Hawaii’s still the best.
Well, The Bus operates very well. So, it’s possible to manage public services here efficiently. So, let’s stop blaming the climate and start dismissing managers who can’t manage and corrupt officials like Keith Kanashiro.