Honolulu is first in state to provide electronic government

Honolulu residents can now access government services online, as the city aims to promote technology for the entire state.

Government services provided on the city's World Wide Web site include police employment applications; labor registration forms; and problem report forms from the Department of Consumer Services, for complaints about city services, such as potholes and traffic lights.

"It will make government more efficient, responsive and competitive by allowing both citizens and businesses to access the same services over the Internet instead of traveling to satellite city halls," said Andy Mirikitani, a Honolulu city council member.

Other forms will soon be available for users to print so they can be mailed to the particular departments. These forms include: Board of Water Supply bill payments, Department of Planning and Permitting engineering applications, street usage block party request forms, and street usage run and/or walk request forms.

Last year, the City Council passed the Information Technology Law, written by Mirikitani, requiring the creation of this site to provide city services.

The law also required, as a second phase, the establishment of electronic billing for city services, which was begun in November by creating a request for proposals. That RFP will be issued this month.

The entire site is expected to be finished in six months, Mirikitani said.