2006-11-20 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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networks. For example, the County network has videostream for Council meetings so employees can watch the meetings from their office and know when they need to be at the Council. The Police should be able to do this, too, but their own firewall is blocking them. Mr. Yugawa said he told them to open up their firewall. Mr. Joseph asked if this had been discussed. Mr. Yugawa said it had been brought up, but not taken further. It was just talked about. Mr. Joseph asked if it would be a more efficient system which might save the County money, and Mr. Yugawa said yes. Mr. Joseph asked why there was reluctance to talk about it at the County level, and Mr. Yugawa said it was because people's feelings would be hurt, like they would be in taking away the internet. Mr. Sakaguchi asked whether Data Systems could get together with the Police Department and Prosecutor's Office, not to control what they do, but for the purpose of setting up standards. Mr. Yugawa said that would work, if it was a collaborative effort. Mr. Sakaguchi said he had technical questions about the Police microwave towers: Could cell phone companies install their transmitters or receivers on the towers, to ensure that everyone on the island has reasonably good coverage? Could it technically be done, and would it generate revenue for the County? Mr. Yugawa said yes, and that he had entertained that idea. He had approached Hawaiian Telcom to see if they wanted to partner with the County, which would give them easements and access to the towers. Hawaiian Telcom was reluctant to do so, and he assumes this is because it would take revenue away. He also approached Pacific LightNet about it, and they were also reluctant. He said that T- Mobile, Singular, or Verizon have adequate coverage as it is. Mr. Sakaguchi said in looking at it as a public safety issue, when there is a tsunami or earthquake, everybody is trying to call everybody else, but the phones don't work. Mr. Yugawa said the phones work, but how do you convince cell phone companies to put towers out there. Mr. Sakaguchi said there needs to be a competitor. Mr. Sakaguchi asked about the County setting up its own system, and Mr. Yugawa said he has entertained that idea. He spoke to Pacific Wireless Corp. about setting up a grid network for a major metropolitan area. It would be expensive, about $100,000 per square mile. Mr. Yugawa said that he has many ideas, but how they would be implemented is important. The County is moving forward. It is getting a wireless 911 system so that tourists and people dialing 911 on their cell phones will be able to be tracked. The County is procuring it and will be working with the cell phone companies to be sure about triangulation and that GPS coordinates are accurate. The State Wireless Board is funding it, and it will be a good feature for public safety. After no further questions, Mr. Yugawa thanked the Commission and left at 11:45 a.m. 15