Some of the resources available at the LTTC

The Laupahoehoe MIRA Team's goals were two fold. The team wanted to focus their attention on improving two existing community organizations, the Laupahoehoe Train Museum (LTM) and the Laupahoehoe Teleservice and Telework Center (LTTC), but they also wanted to create a new and exciting virtual marketplace for their community.

The LTM's purpose is to preserve and archive historical and cultural photographs and artifacts from the days of the sugar trains. It is staffed entirely by volunteers and open to the public 7 days a week. To reach their goals for the LTM, the team purchased a computer and a fax/scanner/printer for the LTM with the MIRA grant. This equipment allowed administrative assistance to encourage eco-tourism, provide an archive database for photographs, historical documents and audio files, provide access to internet for reference and train association collaboration, and communicate through E-mail with visitors, vendors and advertisers. The grant was also used to produce professional brochures (front of brochure and back of brochure) to be distributed to airports and travel agents, which increased visitor count and sales from the gift shop and snack shop.

A Laupahoehoe local works at a computer at the LTTC

The LTTC was created in 1995 to provide a high tech training facility and affordable office space for the community. Inexpensive office areas are available for rent to business partners. Computer and communication office equipment are also available for the renters and are available to the community on a daily or monthly fee basis. Computer and Internet training sessions are offered to the community through the Hawaii Community College. The classes range from E-mail training to advanced Microsoft applications. To reach their goals for the LTTC, the team purchased the necessary electrical devices to upgrade the existing lighting and outlets throughout the LTTC. This provides a safe and comfortable environment with proper lighting and dedicated power for computer and business training.

The team's creation of the virtual market place is an ongoing effort. The virtual marketplace will be an internet venue where agricultural products and crafts can be sold around the world. It will be a direct benefit to Laupahoehoe citizens who are not "high tech." The virtual marketplace will allow them to manufacture and sell their products (Koa bracelets, furniture, cookies, clothing lines, etc.) without dealing directly with the Internet and computers themselves. The expect sales to be generated not only from outside the islands, but local residents can shop from home and easily send local products to friends and family around the world. The team is currently prepared technically to take off on this project, but they are still grappling with the legal structure for the virtual market.

The Laupahoehoe Team is excited about the progress they have made with the MIRA grant assistance. In addition to the projects, the second go-around with MIRA regarding digital storytelling has given the team many extraordinary tools to capture time on the computer and then share it with others. They plan to teach the students at the Laupahoehoe School how to use these techniques to interview local senior citizens and record their stories for the future generations.