Columnist

Ryan Ozawa

Ryan Ozawa is a life-long geek, avid media maker, and community builder focused on the Hawaii tech and innovation scene. He is the communications director for local tech firm Hawaii Information Service, a former newspaper editor, and proud husband and dad of three. He is a co-host of on Hawaii Public Radio. You can follow him on Twitter at
Civil Geeks: Money And Exposure Lure Startups Away From Hawaii Ryan Ozawa

Civil Geeks: Money And Exposure Lure Startups Away From Hawaii

Hawaii is a great place to begin, but founders of startups from the state have found they need to move if they want to grow.

Civil Geeks: 2 Experts Explain Why It’s OK For Startups To Leave Hawaii Ryan Ozawa

Civil Geeks: 2 Experts Explain Why It’s OK For Startups To Leave Hawaii

They work with startups all the time and say a company’s ability to succeed outside Hawaii is more important than trying to keep it here.

Civil Geeks: Feeling The Vog? This Tool Can Help You Deal Janet Babb/USGS/HVO

Civil Geeks: Feeling The Vog? This Tool Can Help You Deal

Scientists from several agencies launch a slate of tools to help residents prepare for hazy days of “vog” downwind of Kilauea.

Civil Geeks: ‘Lethal Beasts’ Deserve Our Respect Aaron Pomerantz

Civil Geeks: ‘Lethal Beasts’ Deserve Our Respect

In her first book, “Venomous,” UH researcher and science blogger Christie Wilcox publishes an ode to those creatures we fear the most.

Civil Geeks: Finding New Planets With A ‘Broken’ Telescope NASA/JPL

Civil Geeks: Finding New Planets With A ‘Broken’ Telescope

From atop Mauna Kea, UH scientists are finding exoplanets, boosting the chance of discovering alien life.

Civil Geeks: Ham Radio Still Going Strong In Social Media Age Ryan Ozawa

Civil Geeks: Ham Radio Still Going Strong In Social Media Age

Local amateur radio operators embrace new technologies, link communities during disasters.

Civil Geeks: New Rules Open Hawaii’s Skies To Commercial Drones Ryan Ozawa

Civil Geeks: New Rules Open Hawaii’s Skies To Commercial Drones

Local pilots see opportunities and more competition as the FAA accommodates aerial businesses.

Civil Geeks: A People-Powered Navigation App Katie Ozawa

Civil Geeks: A People-Powered Navigation App

A $1.1 billion app lets local drivers save time by sharing traffic reports, with the unpaid help of community-minded map editors.

Civil Geeks: Aloha As A Platform For Innovation

Civil Geeks: Aloha As A Platform For Innovation

Technologists join forces with cultural practitioners to address uniquely Hawaiian issues.