From left, Theo Morrison, executive director of Lahaina Restoration Foundation; Michael Moore, president of Na Hoaloha ‘Ekolu; and Shelley Kekuna, executive director of Kaanapali Beach Resort Association, display the 2014 eCity of Hawaii Award for Lahaina. PHOTO BY KAREE CARLUCCI.

LAHAINA – Lahaina has been honored as the 2014 eCity of Hawaii by Google.

Google’s eCity Awards recognize the strongest online business community in each state, naming Lahaina as the digital capital of Hawaii.

Award criteria include businesses that are using the web to find new customers, connect with existing customers and fuel their local economies.

Google partnered with research firm Ipsos to identify the strongest online communities in each state.

“The Internet plays a critical role in growing our local businesses and our local economies. With 97 percent of American Internet users looking online for local goods and services, businesses that make use of the web are growing twice as fast and creating twice as many jobs,” said Susan Molinari, vice president of public policy and government relations for Google.

County of Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa received the award on behalf of Lahaina. This award represents businesses, hotels and organizations from Olowalu to Kapalua in West Maui.