Okay, Hawaiʻi launched myHawaii. A one stop shop with a single login for all state and county services. 96 services accessible. Multi-factor authentication. Sounds fine. Functional. But fine isn’t enough. Functional isn’t innovative. And imagination is precisely what it will take for Hawaiʻi to stop merely surviving and start thriving for all its residents.
myHawaii could be revolutionary. It should be revolutionary. At the moment, to me, that seems like a missed opportunity. The real revolution? It lies in blockchain. The flip side is that it’s an opportunity to lay the groundwork for deep and enduring trust.
Why Isn't It On The Blockchain?
Think about it. We're talking about government services. We're talking about trust. And what technology is more closely associated with trust and transparency than blockchain in the digital age? Blockchain.
Think of the story of the Cian, the benevolent and fair ruler from Irish mythology. His word became his bond, and each deal struck was witnessed and held in memory by the rest of the community. It’s that kind of unassailable trust we need to be striving for in our digital systems. myHawaii would be the digital representation of that dream—the perfect app.
While this latest version of myHawaii is certainly a step forward, it isn’t without its challenges. It often feels like building a mansion on a rickety sand foundation. The potential is as fantastic as it seems — but not yet the security and transparency. The full power of myHawaii sits in dormancy, like a phoenix waiting for the fire of blockchain technology to kindle it.
Immutable Records: Government That Can't Lie
Picture this world—where government records are beyond retribution. No more backroom deals conveniently disappearing. No more fudged numbers. Every single transaction, every single decision made on the blockchain, forever etched in digital stone, permanently auditable.
- Immutable Record Keeping: Blockchain ensures government records are tamper-proof and auditable, preventing fraud and corruption.
This isn’t some futuristic fantasy. It’s the power of blockchain. And this isn’t simply a matter of stopping bribery and corruption, it’s about creating positive assurance. When citizens are aware that their government is acting with total transparency, public confidence grows.
Secure Identity: Your Data, Your Control
One of the largest concerns in the digital age is identity theft. myHawaii promises security, but blockchain guarantees it.
- Secure Identity Verification: Blockchain-based digital identities provide secure and private access to services.
- Enhanced Data Privacy: Residents control data and grant access on a need-to-know basis.
Now, picture a system where you are in charge of your digital identity. And you control who has access to your data and for how long. No more sharing your private information with millions of federal contractors. Your data, protected by blockchain infrastructure, only available when you give permission.
Automated Processes: Cut the Red Tape
Government bureaucracy. The bane of everyone's existence. What if we could take those boring but necessary processes and make them automatic, removing the trees and the clerical errors they produce?
- Smart Contracts For Automation: Use smart contracts to automate processes, reducing bureaucracy.
Smart contracts — self-executing agreements programmed onto the blockchain — have enormous potential to transform the inner workings of government itself. Now picture applying for a new construction or drilling permit, or paying taxes due, or receiving government benefits the same way—easily, efficiently, and transparently.
Supply Chains, Voting, and Decentralization
- Supply Chain Transparency: Track goods' origin, ensuring accountability and preventing fraud.
- Voting Security: Blockchain could be used for a more secure and transparent voting system.
- Decentralized Data Storage: Distribute data storage to prevent single points of failure.
Think about the implications. Blockchain has the potential to transform industries from supply chain management to the security of our electoral process. Resilience against censorship and single points of failure is guaranteed with decentralized data storage.
Addressing Skepticism: The Green Blockchain
Okay, I hear you. We know that blockchain can get pretty technical, and we know that there are some very valid concerns. Scalability. Energy consumption. But these aren't insurmountable obstacles.
Eco-friendly blockchain technologies are emerging. We can prioritize sustainable solutions. The upside – the added trust, transparency, and efficiency – certainly eclipses the challenge.
A Call To Action: Hawaiʻi, Embrace the Future
myHawaii is a good start, but far from the end zone. Now it’s time for Hawaiʻi to break new ground and realize the full potential of this platform.
I strongly encourage Governor Green, State Comptroller Regan, and CIO Sakuda to consider ways to incorporate blockchain technology. Conduct pilot projects. Form a blockchain task force. Partner with experts.
It’s the right time for Hawaiʻi to create a blockchain backbone upon which myHawaii can grow. So, let’s join in making a government that works for all of us, where transparency and public trust are priorities, not afterthoughts. Let's make myHawaii legendary.
It's time for Hawaiʻi to build a blockchain backbone for myHawaii. Let’s build a government that truly serves the people, with transparency and trust at its core. Let's make myHawaii legendary.
