Hawaii 2.0?
I’m sick and tired of the abundance of $hitty Hawaii-based websites that continue to appear year after year.
Not to mention, I’m tired of keeping quiet about it. Someone really needs to educate upper-management that not only is there a myriad of intangible benefits to having an online presence, but there’s been an Internet revolution with the rise of Web 2.0.
Welcome, my friend, to 2006.
It always seems that when it comes to technology, Hawaii is often always years behind the rest of the world universe. I just can’t take it anymore. So without further adieu, I present a gallery of the ‘best’ (sic) Hawaii has to offer.
And if you’ve had the input on design for any of these sites, I’m sorry. They suck.
- Anytimegrinds.com - Whoever thought searching restaurants by page numbers was a good idea has quite apparently never searched for a restaurant before. Not to mention, design updates are always nice once every decade.
- Hawaiieventsonline.com - Whoever thought a weekly calendar with vertical days was a good idea must be sleeping and surfing online. Can anyone ever distinguish anything on this site?
- Servco - For being a dominant player in the Hawaii automative industry, it’s apparent they don’t have an IT budget. And without an IT budget, I can only imagine how manually intensive their back office processes are…
- Hawaii State Bar Association - You know, for as much money lawyers make, you’d think some of those dues might be put to use. And if they can’t figure out why an association should have a decent site (think networking, collaboration)… you wonder how they actually got their JD.
- Hisurf.com - Just click on the link, you’ll know what I mean when you get there.
- Iolani School - As an alumnus, it really hurts to put my alma mater on this list, but it’s quite apparent that there isn’t a need for an online presence. We all know demand is high, but it’s a shame when you surf their site and 5 different designs appear… anyone ever heard of the term site branding?
- Hawaiian Host - The artsy-fartsy part is nice, but what in the world is all that text doing on the bottom?
- Pearlridge Shopping Center - For a shopping center, you’d think they’d be a little more up-to-date. You can’t even purchase a gift certificate online to be sent to your residence!
- Oceanic - Now, if they’re targeting an OLDER crowd, then I guess, they’ve done an
goodexcellent job. - East Oahu Realty - Obviously another company targeting an older crowd… wow, a real old one @ that.
- Hawaii Democrats, GOP Hawaii - And people wonder why nobody votes in Hawai`i? Everytime I surf these sites, I think of some high school intern who got stuck with a summer job.
- Aloha Airlines - Seriously, this is one of the larger airlines on island. I know, I can’t believe it myself.
- EHawaii - As a site representing the state of Hawai`i… *lowers head* *shakes head* (I’m referring to the one on my shoulders, btw.)
- KHON - As Greg points out, seriously, seriously disappointing for one of Hawai`i’s top-rated news stations.
Now don’t get me wrong, there are a few sites that are doing things right and making Hawaii proud…. such as Chipin, Kindfish, but they are so few and far between.
Can anyone out there please make Hawai`i 2.0?
Anyone?
*Update*: Please feel free to add your own sites to my comments. I know there’s many more out there…
November 21st, 2006 at 10:57 am
Never knew you, Mufi, and me had something in common. Sing along now.
Class of Kalai “Baywatch” Miller!!
November 21st, 2006 at 11:05 am
I would like to add KHON2’s web site to your list. It may not be as bad as some of the ones you listed, but it still irks me for these reasons.
Funny too how your list kinda indirectly shows your tastes or services you use.
November 22nd, 2006 at 1:14 am
Dugg.
November 22nd, 2006 at 4:53 pm
HawaiiAthletics.com - TERRIBLE!
November 22nd, 2006 at 7:16 pm
not to mention surf new’s networks website! can you say cluttered?
December 4th, 2006 at 7:15 am
save the day, ryan.
December 28th, 2007 at 12:30 am
Aloha Ryan,
I agree with some of the sites you have listed but disagree with your reasoning on why these sites are so 1.0. If you take a look at each one you can see it is a reflection of the administration’s management style. Do you know what that style is? Well, it is a risk adverse and very controlling.
And as you know in the 2.0 world, sites turn over the content as well in most cases control over to the users. That concept alone would freak out the site owners listed above. I used to work at ehawaii.gov and we did try to suggest more social aspects back in 02 or 03 such as community forums, lobbyist in a box (interactive monitoring and commenting on the laws going through the leg.), and citizen accounts for the presentation of customized information and news. But the government wasn’t having it in fear of lawsuits, having a arcane product in place already, and privacy issues.
Just wanted to share and got some feedback and possible function ideas for you wegoeat.com site.
PS-Your recaptcha is like trying to jump a 20 foot barb fence. Hahaa.
December 30th, 2007 at 12:34 am
@Tech -
Howzit! I know it’s a reflection of administrative control - it was just my cynical side coming out.
Btw, shoot me an email sometime… do I know yah? 
And about the Recaptcha… is it that bad? Haven’t heard a complaint… (aside from yours of course).
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