The state Senate launched a statewide videoconferencing testimony program last week that’s designed to make it easy for residents to testify at a legislative hearing — even from the comfort of home.

But when the program debuted Monday at an Education Committee meeting, no one showed up on the video screen.

Education Chairwoman Jill Tokuda said she was not surprised.

"It was our first hearing and the beginning" of the legislative session, she said, adding that she hopes people will sign up for screen time at future hearings.

During this legislative session, Hawaii residents will be able to testify by way of videoconferencing at hearings before the Senate committees on Education and Technology and the Arts, said Erin Conner, Education Committee clerk.

Initially limited to neighbor islands, the program, powered by GoToWebinar, started last year. It has since expanded to include Oahu.

Technology and the Arts Committee Chairman Glenn Wakai said even far-flung residents on neighbor islands have yet to embrace videoconferencing, which could save them airfare and travel time.

"It was terrible," Wakai said of the program’s debut for neighbor island residents. "We had to resort to calling our friends on the neighbor islands (to get people to testify). People have been coming to the state Capitol for 55 years. Here we are in 2014. You can testify from your own desk, but people are still spending their time and money."

People interested in signing up to present screen-time testimony can do so by filling out a form on the Legislature’s website. Online hearing notices indicate whether videoconferencing testimony will be permitted and include instructions on how to participate.

Currently, there’s a limit of 10 videoconferences permitted per bill. At hearings in which six to eight bills go before lawmakers, in addition to in-person and written testimonies, as many as 80 videoconference testimonies may be allowed.

To spread the word about the program, senators are reaching out to media outlets, the tech community and advocacy groups.

"It’s important that we increase our options (for people to testify)," Tokuda said. "(For education-related hearings) it allows stakeholders like students, teachers and principals to provide input even if the school is going on. (Videoconferencing) is a different dynamic. The plus is not only do we get to hear someone, but we get to ask questions. It allows for engagement and positive development. For the Senate, it’s looking at technology to engage and be transparent to do the business of government."

Wakai quipped, "Everyone wants a better, faster and cheaper government … and now we’re delivering that, but there’s no takers."