Digital Equity Innovation Awards 2024

Banner logo courtesy of Ashley Kierkiewicz

The Broadband Hui, PICHTR, the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office in partnership with the County of Kaua’i, County of Maui, County of Hawaii and the City and County of Honolulu, and Community Access television (Hōʻike, ʻŌlelo, Akakū, Nā Leo) are excited to announce the first-ever Digital Equity Innovation Awards, celebrating organizations and individuals who are leading the charge to close Hawaii’s digital divide. Recognizing pioneers, future innovators, dedicated advocates, impactful organizations, and data-driven leaders, these awards honor those making significant strides in digital equity.

STATE OF HAWAII – PROCLAMATION

AWARD CATEGORIES: The DEI Award program will recognize the following categories for each county: 

  1. Digital Equity Pioneer Award: Honoring outstanding contributions to closing the digital divide in each of Hawaii’s counties through innovative access and skills training.
  2. Future Innovators Award: Celebrating student teams driving digital inclusion within their schools and communities with creative solutions and leadership.
  3. Digital Equity Luminary Award: Recognizing individuals championing digital equity through sustained advocacy and impactful leadership.
  4. Community Impact Award: Highlighting organizations with measurable success in fostering digital inclusion and reducing disparities.
  5. Digital Equity Beacon Award: Awarding those who effectively use data to tell stories, measure progress, and drive decision-making.

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

The awardees are listed below and grouped by county:

City and County of Honolulu – Proclamation

  • Dan Smith, Hawai‘i Broadband Hui (Beacon Award)
  • Dotty Kelly-Paddock, Hui O Hau‘ula (Community Impact Award)
  • Stacey Aldrich, Hawai‘i State Librarian (Luminary Award)
  • Wendy Dakroub and Sasha Kamahele, Tech Savvy Teens (Future Innovators Award)
  • Jill Takasaki Canfield, Hawai‘i Literacy (Pioneer Award)

County of Hawai‘i – Proclamation

  • Ron and Doreen Kodani, Pi‘ihonua Hawaiian Homestead Community Association (Luminary Award)
  • Brad Kaleo Bennett, ‘Auamo Collaborative (Beacon Award)
  • Pono Kekela, Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce (Pioneer Award)
  • Paola Vidulich, SPACE (Future Innovators Award)

County of Kaua‘i – Proclamation

  • David Braman, Amalia Abigania and Leah Aiwohi, Kaua‘i High School (Future Innovators Award)
  • Pete Simon, Kuleana.work (Pioneer Award)
  • James Thesken, Kaua‘i Technology Group (Beacon Award)
  • Jackie Kaina, Kaua‘i Economic Development Board (Luminary Award)
  • Ken Dickinson, Kūpuna Connections (Community Impact Award)

County of Maui – Proclamation

  • Bill Sides, Hāna Business Council East Maui Broadband (Luminary Award)
  • Marc Sanders, Hāna Business Council Broadband Committee (Pioneer Award)
  • Ka‘ala Souza, Māpunawai Inc. (Luminary Award)
  • Michael Shiffler, Red Lightning (Community Impact Award) 

PARTNERS and SPONSORS