Hawaii had electricity before most of the world!

Yes, you read that title correctly. If you didn’t know—now you know! Hawaii even had electricity before the white house did. King David Kalakaua was fascinated with technology and was the first to implement the use of electricity in Hawaii by updating Honolulu's kerosene street lamps to electric lamps, which made their way into houses. Eventually he instilled generators into plantation homes as well. By 1890, more than 700 Oahu homes had electricity when a majority of Europe and the U.S. didn’t.

Hawaii was ahead of the times when it came to technology. Today, that fact has shifted drastically. According to a study taken by Tech Republic for 2018, you might be surprised that Hawaii is now listed as the eighth LEAST innovated state in America. Meanwhile the top three most innovative states are Massachusetts, Maryland, and Washington.

Why is Hawaii so behind when it comes to innovation? The highest rated reason comes from a lack of fast internet. There is little to no promotion of innovation in Hawaii. We Are More tries to change that stat with what they do for others. Sadly, the education on technology innovation is low, leading to little importance when expressed as an issue.

Why does Hawaii need innovation? Aside from the fact that an economy can flourish with advanced innovation, (find the 4 important benefits of innovation in business here) it also enhances life as a whole with profitable revolutions in technology that impact society. If Hawaii climbed it’s way back up the list of leading states in innovation we’d also have improved productivity and reduced costs, better quality of products and services to meet customer needs, a larger product range for higher sales and profit, better handled legal and environmental issues, added value for businesses, more staff retention for businesses as well.

The country would develop as a whole, economically, if all 50 states could play a lead role in innovation. Most critical problems are resolved by new innovations. The first and smallest step Hawaii could take in the right direction is ditching companies that offer slow internet. Like King David Kalakaua, Hawaii needs to start small and think big.

No copyright infringement is intended.