The first step to getting started is to build consensus . After you read the primer please comment at the bottom with edits you’d like to see etc.

Recommendations

1. A “Hawaii County Data Policy Statement” which includes the following (derived from the data.gov data policy statement);

Proposed Hawaii County Data Policy – draft

Public Information

All datasets accessed through http://co.hawaii.state.gov are confined to public information and must not contain National Security information as defined by statute and/or Executive Order, or other information/data that is protected by other statute, practice, or legal precedent. The supplying Department/Agency is required to maintain currency with public disclosure requirements.

Security

All information accessed through http://co.hawaii.state.gov is in compliance with the required confidentiality, integrity, and availability controls mandated by Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 199 as promulgated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the associated NIST publications supporting the Certification and Accreditation (C&A) process. Submitting Agencies are required to follow NIST guidelines and OMB guidance (including C&A requirements).

Privacy

All information accessed through http://co.hawaii.state.gov must be in compliance with current privacy requirements including OMB guidance. In particular, Agencies are responsible for ensuring that the datasets accessed through http://co.hawaii.state.gov have any required Privacy Impact Assessments or System of Records Notices (SORN) easily available on their websites.

Data Quality and Retention

All information accessed through http://co.hawaii.state.gov is subject to the Information Quality Act (P.L. 106-554). For all data accessed through http://co.hawaii.state.gov, each Department/Agency has confirmed that the data being provided through this site meets the Department/Agency’s Information Quality Guidelines. As the authoritative source of the information, submitting Departments/Agencies retain version control of datasets accessed through http://co.hawaii.state.gov in compliance with record retention requirements outlined by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

Secondary Use

Data accessed through http://co.hawaii.state.gov do not, and should not, include controls over its end use. However, as the data owner or authoritative source for the data, the submitting Department or Agency must retain version control of datasets accessed. Once the data have been downloaded from the agency’s site, Hawaii County cannot vouch for their quality and timeliness. Furthermore, the County of Hawaii cannot vouch for any analyses conducted with data retrieved from http://co.hawaii.state.gov.

Citing

Data The agency’s preferred citation for each dataset is included in its metadata. Users should also cite the date that data were accessed or retrieved from http://co.hawaii.state.gov. Finally, users must clearly state that “http://co.hawaii.state.gov and the County of Hawaii cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from http://co.hawaii.state.gov.”

Public Participation

In support of the Transparency and Open Government Initiative, recommendations from individuals, groups and organizations regarding the presentation of data, data types, and metadata will contribute to the evolution of http://co.hawaii.state.gov.

Applicability of this Data Policy

Nothing in this Data Policy alters, or impedes the ability to carry out, the authorities of Hawaii County Departments and Agencies to perform their responsibilities under law and consistent with applicable legal authorities, appropriations, and presidential guidance, nor does this Data Policy limit the protection afforded any information by other provisions of law.

This Data Policy is intended only to improve the internal management of information controlled by the County of Hawaii and it is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, by a party against the County of Hawaii, its Departments, Agencies, or other entities, its officers, officials, employees, or agents.

2. Access to the data contained in all government records.

Federal Guiding Principles
Innovation in Public Administration: Creating an Open and Secure Government
Strategic federal IT investments will make Government more transparent and accountable. At the same time, Americans will know that these investments by their Government are being leveraged to produce maximum value, and that the security of information systems nationally, and the privacy of Americans, are being protected. Strategic investments in IT are at the heart of the efforts to make Government services more effective, accessible, and transparent.

3. Data should be provided in standards-based formats eg; XML. Human readable formats should be the province of private business as this is the point where usability, accessibility, information and interaction design and other interpretive uses are defined to create value added products and services by private enterprise.

4. Reduce the number of websites built and maintained by the County of Hawaii. Any required informational sites should be developed by private enterprise in a competitive bidding process. Whenever possible, the County of Hawaii’s role in information technology should focus on providing data, not information as defined above.

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Hawaii County Council Resolution 265 – available for review.

When most folks hear of County Council resolutions to help food, water, energy or air quality they think, gee it’s about time. Or yay, we’re finally getting help from local government. This may be especially when you consider the battles against Genetically Modified Organisms. No doubt, our local food supply is at serious risk from companies like Monsanto who could easily turn our entire island into a giant test bed for their GMO crops.

However, more legislation from the government is not always the answer. I pause when reading the recent draft resolution 265 and especially the following statement :

our future food supply will depend on educated policy-making at County level”

Is there a better way to keep GMO crops out of the local food supply and off the land? Legislation to fight legislation seems expensive. Certainly I’m wrong for even asking these sorts of questions.

After all, the folks that worked on the Hawaii County Resolution 265 and similar legislation around the state are beyond reproach. They really know what they’re doing and have been working on these efforts for a long time. This particular resolution is most likely the best start possible.

Farmers haven’t always been big friends to big government although they have had their share of government subsidies. I’m interested in learning how our freedoms can be preserved to form this more perfect union between our natural resources and us. To the untrained eye, the current legislation reads like a government land grab for natural resources. Even if it doesn’t specifically state, “families and family farms should determine our future food supply, not local, state or federal governments.”

So just how much government do we need in our food supply? Can we find anything in this legislation that removes burdens already placed on our farmers? How will the government continue to help us at the grocery store or the Farmer’s Market?  How will the government keep GMO food or GMO seeds out of our stores?

Please shop at Island Naturals! Russell keeps it local! Okay, back to the program…

Please consider reading the original resolution and testify. Consider letting the county council know that we know, they would be taking big steps towards controlling more of the land.

Original Hawaii County Food Legislation downloads available at Green Collar Technologies website.

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TECHNOLOGY

“To help build a new foundation for the 21st century, we need to reform our government so that it is more efficient, more transparent, and more creative.”

-President Obama, April 25, 2009

Guiding Principles

Innovation in the Economy: Drive Economic Growth and Solve National Problems By Deploying a 21st Century Information Infrastructure

The President believes that modernized infrastructure is a necessary part of the foundation for long term economic stability and prosperity. That includes everything from a comprehensive national broadband plan, to new health care information technology, to a modernized electrical grid.

The President has also directed the National Security and Homeland Security Advisors to conduct an immediate review of the plan, programs, and activities underway throughout the government dedicated to cyber security. This 60-day interagency review will develop a strategic framework to ensure that U.S. Government cyber security initiatives are appropriately integrated, resourced and coordinated with Congress and the private sector.

Innovation in Science: Invest in Science and Science Education

The President has named Dr. John Holdren, a nationally recognized expert on climate change and nuclear disarmament, as an Assistant to the President and the nation’s Science Advisor, and Dr. Steven Chu, Nobel-prize winner as the Secretary of Energy. These are just two of the many leading science experts who are serving in an Administration committed to science.

Innovation in Public Administration: Creating an Open and Secure Government

Strategic federal IT investments will make Government more transparent and accountable. At the same time, Americans will know that these investments by their Government are being leveraged to produce maximum value, and that the security of information systems nationally, and the privacy of Americans, are being protected. Strategic investments in IT are at the heart of the efforts to make Government services more effective, accessible, and transparent.

Restoring a Culture of Accountability through Openness and Transparency of Government Operations and Information

Moving Toward Unprecedented Openness: Change the presumption under the Freedom of Information Act to favor voluntary disclosure of government information to the public.

Making Critical Government Information Available: Working to provide public access to information of public import and concern, such as the Department of Justice “torture” memos, the President’s and Vice-President’s tax returns, the public financial disclosure reports for White House personnel, and presidential records.

Read Technology Issues Progress Report at Whitehouse.gov

Related Quotes

“Information is the currency of democracy.”
-Thomas Jefferson
“A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both.”
-James Madison
-Thomas Jefferson
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