Economic, service uses
seen for high tech

Mayoral candidates Mufi Hannemann and Duke Bainum say they plan to use technology to improve customer service and bolster the city's economic outlook.

Hannemann announced yesterday that if he is elected, he will tap Hawaii-born high-tech guru Guy Kawasaki as an unpaid adviser on technology and entrepreneurship.

"I've always maintained that science and technology can be a major part of what we're known for, and Guy will help the Hannemann administration immensely in that regard," he said.

Kawasaki is a managing director and chairman of Garage Technology Ventures, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm. He is also Hannemann's Iolani School classmate.

"Mufi said Hawaii is about sun, sand and surf," Kawasaki said. "I would like to make Hawaii about sun, sand, surf and silicon because I think that the technology industry is a great avenue for Hawaii's youth."

The son of former state Sen. Duke Kawasaki has become known for his Apple Computer evangelism in the marketing of Macintosh computers and software when he worked for Apple in the 1980s.

Meanwhile, Bainum said he plans to use technology to enhance customer service and create new sources of revenue.

In a statement, Bainum's campaign said that under his administration, the city's Web site will be significantly upgraded so that many of the services will be available online. Residents will be able make purchases and pay fees online. Technology will help make city government more efficient, accessible and business-friendly, the statement said.