Hawaii Governor Lingle Presents Innovation Awards

March 13, 2009 -- HONOLULU – Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle today recognized recipients of the Governor’s Innovation Awards for their commitment to finding creative ways to make life better for the people of Hawaii and build a stronger future for our state.

“Our current Innovation Award honorees understand the importance of trying new approaches to address significant challenges facing Hawaii,” said Governor Lingle. “They are finding creative ways to develop solutions that will help increase Hawaii’s energy independence and enhance the safety of our food supply.”

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The Governor’s Innovation Award recipients for January 2009 are:

Innovation by an Individual: Henry Jiao

Henry Jiao, a bioengineer and biotechnologist, is working to promote environment-friendly transportation alternatives and healthy lifestyles in Hawaii. His company, Henry Industry International, sells “green” products including electric vehicles. Among his most innovative products are electric motor bicycles and mopeds, which require no gasoline or oil and produce no emissions and minimal noise. On average, charging an E-Bike takes approximately three to six hours every two to three days, at a cost of less than $5 per month. Jiao distributes the E-Bikes through his Honolulu-based company Aloha E-Bike as well as through a dealer on the Big Island, Kona Moped Center.

Innovation by an Organization: Island Pacific Energy

Island Pacific Energy is a developer and operator of photovoltaic solar energy facilities. The company developed the SimpleSolar program to make photovoltaic solar power systems more affordable for homeowners, businesses and not-for-profit organizations by enabling the user to install a complete system for no money down. The system is paid for using the monthly savings on electricity as well as federal and state solar tax credits.

Innovation in Government: Department of Agriculture Quality Assurance Division and Hawaii Farm Bureau
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture – Quality Assurance Division and the Hawaii Farm Bureau have partnered to establish a three-year pilot program designed to enhance food safety by tracking products from the farm to the dining room table. The Hawaii Produce Traceability Initiative uses Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFIT) to track, in real-time, fresh produce as it makes its way from the farm through the distribution chain and to the grocery store. The program is expected to increase food safety response and mitigate losses associated with crop disease, food recalls and other food safety issues. For example, in the event of a recall, the state will be able to use the RFIT program to immediately trace a product to the farm of origin and identify where inventories were sent. Additional funding for the pilot project was provided by the Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii.

Governor Lingle initiated the monthly Innovation Awards in May 2008 to acknowledge and encourage innovation across all sectors statewide. The awards recognize deserving individuals, companies, nonprofits, organizations and government agencies that are developing innovative products, services and processes. The award is part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s Hawaii Innovation Initiative, a comprehensive plan to transform Hawaii’s economy from one dependent on land development to one that builds on human ingenuity and the ability of Hawaii’s people to innovate.

The Governor’s Innovation Awards nominees are evaluated monthly by a 15-member selection panel comprised of industry, education and government representatives statewide. Nominations are submitted online and are judged on creativity; effectiveness in achieving a goal or purpose; transferability and adoptability by others; and significance in addressing an important local or global issue, problem or opportunity. The selection committee provides final recommendations to Governor Lingle for her selection.

For additional information or to submit a nomination, visit www.hawaii.gov/gov/innovation-award.

Source: Hawaii Governor