DataHouse is proud to share the success of seven UH Manoa College of Engineering students who helped solve a complicated problem for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA). The student team developed a new check-in process and queuing method for the Animal Quarantine (AQ) Airport Station. The solution includes two large monitors and an iPad-driven kiosk check-in station to visually guide the processing of pets entering the state.

Previously, AQ faced challenges with inefficiencies, paper-based processes, long waiting times, and pet owner dissatisfaction. With the new process and equipment, AQ staff have streamlined workflows that afford better communication and less pet owner anxiety.

The opportunity to improve AQ’s process originated through the Community Innovation Mentorship Program (CIMP), which is a collaboration among HDOA, DataHouse, Transform Hawaii Government, Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC), and the University of Hawaii College of Engineering. CIMP is part of Hawaii’s Technology Readiness User Evaluation (TRUE) Initiative, which enables organizations and aims to create more higher-paying jobs in Hawaii.

Learn more about the collaborative project by visiting these links:

On behalf of DataHouse and CIMP, congratulations to the students who dedicated their knowledge, skills, and hearts to help advance Hawaii and improve the well-being of our people (and their pets).