Information technology is often defined in terms of hardware, software, and network capabilities. That definition is far too narrow for the information technology initiatives underway in Hawaii state government. Under the leadership of Christine Sakuda, former THG Executive Director, the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, State of Hawaii plans to evolve their operating model and elevate the role of information technology to advance government modernization in Hawaii. ETS is currently working with Executive Branch departments to develop IT strategic plans that address each department’s unique IT needs and help align IT efforts across departments. These collaborative discussions, in which the ETS team serves as facilitators and enablers, will help create stronger links between departmental IT plans and the overall statewide IT strategic plan as well as with departmental IT investments and budget requests. Learn more in our May newsletter here: bit.ly/thg-may-2025-newsletter. (fb)

#NewsBuzz: What if your old phone could help regrow a forest? This past Earth month, AT&T turned trade-ins into trees — literally. For every device traded in, one tree was planted to help reforest areas impacted by California wildfires. Read how AT&T, Assurant , and the Arbor Day Foundation teamed up to make a difference — one device at a time in this article by GovTech News : bit.ly/govtechnews-turn-old-smartphone-into-tree. (fb)