Governor's Innovation Award

Hawai`i residents and the Lingle-Aiona Administration share a profound concern for preserving our state’s greatest assets: our unique natural resources, rich cultural diversity and special quality of life.  The path of innovation allows these goals to be achieved by decreasing our dependence on land development as our economic driver and increasing the role of human ingenuity.

Hawai‘i’s people are leading this transformation.

As part of the Hawai`i Innovation Initiative, Governor Lingle will be presenting a monthly Innovation Award, which will acknowledge and encourage innovation across all sectors in Hawai`i.  We encourage you to nominate a deserving organization, individual or government agency that is innovating new ways to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

1. Innovation by an Organization  - Nominate a Hawai`i-based business, nonprofit, or other organization that has developed innovative products of processes.
2. Innovation by an Individual - Nominate a Hawai`i resident who stands out for their innovative ideas or is fostering innovation in others, such as a teacher, creative leader, mentor or an exceptional student.
3. Innovation in Government - Nominate a government agency, division or department that is leading by example through innovative programming or services.

Nominees will be judged on the basis of the following criteria:

• Creativity: Offers a new and innovative approach.
• Effectiveness: Successfully achieves goals and purposes of project, and produces tangible results.
• Transferability: Able to be adopted by others.
• Significance: Addresses an important local or global issue, problem or opportunity.
• Timing: Achievement or program occurred within the last 12 months.

Selection process:

Nominations will be accepted online and awarded on a monthly basis.  A selection committee, comprised of industry, education and government representatives statewide will provide final nominations to Governor Lingle for her monthly selection.