HOUSE TECH SUPPORT OFFICE RECEIVES NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Team recognized at legislative summit for technological work, internal website redesign 

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives Tech Support Office has been awarded the Legislative Staff Achievement Award from the National Association of Legislative Information Technology (NALIT). 

The award was presented at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit in Nashville yesterday. Team members were presented with a plaque and recognized at the NALIT Business Meeting at the summit.

"IT Director Craig Nakahara and his hard-working staff continually come up with creative and innovative solutions which improve the way legislators and their staffs operate," said Hawaiʻi House Speaker Scott K. Saiki. "This team is doing great work and deserve this recognition."

Members of the House Tech Support team are: Craig Nakahara, Gail Iseri, Josette Friedl, Nhuc Chau, Royce Fukumoto, Matthew Kanda, Thai Nguyen, Kai Lau, Robyn Araki.

The House Tech Support Office was nominated for the award based on their creation of the paperless testimony system, the Chamber automation system (the Chamber laptop automated OD and information), and the redesign of the House internal website portal. 

Criteria for the NALIT Legislative Staff Achievement Award include:

• Helping to improve the effectiveness of the legislative institution
• Supporting the legislative process and the mission of the legislature
• Exhibiting a high degree of professionalism, competence and integrity in serving the legislature and the public
• Contributing to the work of the National Conference of State Legislatures
• Contributing to the National Association of Legislative Information Technology
• Contributing to existing knowledge and demonstrating expertise in a particular field

The NCSL is a bipartisan organization serving the 7,382 state lawmakers and legislative staff of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.

Speaker Saiki served as vice president of the non-partisan group for the past year and is now the president-elect. He will become NCSL president in 2020.