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Hawaii seeking impact
at high-tech conference

By Russ Lynch
Star-Bulletin

A high-level group of government and private-sector representatives will grab the opportunity of a major telecommunications conference in Honolulu next week to show off Hawaii high-technology expertise and opportunities to an audience of international experts.

The Pacific Telecommunications Council's annual conference at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Sunday through Wednesday will attract some 1,800 of the world's leaders in communications, the Internet and other high-technology industries and services.

Called "A New Vision for the 21st Century," the conference will deal with a wide range of topics and a Hawaii contingent will use such opportunities as a hospitality breakfast and a trade show to sell not only the capabilities of Hawaii businesses in those fields but the attractions Hawaii can offer to high-technology businesses coming in from outside.

"We see outstanding statewide high-tech opportunities building on our natural resources and strategic location, superior infrastructure and excellent work-force potential," said Bob Saunders, science and technology chairman of the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board, one of the participants. Some opportunities floated as potential for Hawaii include integrated defense communications, technology transfer, and regional development of software.

The Hawaii group says it will act as "both host and suitor" in wooing the high-technology visit. A 14-booth trade show called "Hawaii, Where it all Comes Together," will run throughout the show.

The Hawaii participants include the economic development boards of the counties, the High Technology Development Corp., the High Technology Trade Association, the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau, the Maui Research and Technology Park, the W.E. Shipman business park on the Big Island and the University of Hawaii, Hilo. Businesses showing off their Hawaii success stories will include Adtech Inc., Ameritech Cellular, Digital Island Inc., Integrated Networks, Penncro Associates, WebNow.com and WorldPoint Interactive.