Honolulu tops list of 'Digital Cities'

For the second year in a row, Honolulu ranked first in the Digital Cities Survey, tied with Tampa, Fla., among cities with populations of 250,000 or more.

The survey, which is conducted by the Center for Digital Government and is sponsored by Microsoft, evaluates how city governments have progressed in adopting and utilizing digital technologies to improve the delivery of services to their citizens.

A record number of cities participated in the survey this year, according to city officials.

“This is a gratifying affirmation of the hard work and dedication of our information technology staff in using technology to bring government closer to our people,” said Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris. “At the same time, we have improved the efficiency and effectiveness in providing our services.”

The city’s official website specifically highlights services available online, from motor vehicle registration renewals to building permit applications to traffic citation payments. The city charter as well as city council bills and resolutions are also posted on the web.

Following Honolulu and Tampa in the ratings for large cities were Kansas City; New York City and Seattle; and Chicago, Colorado Springs, Denver, Tuscon, and Virginia Beach.

At the state level, Hawaii ranked third in “Electronic Commerce & Business Regulation,” 11th in “Management
& Administration,” 14th in “Law Enforcement & the Courts,” and 21st in
“Education.”