GOVERNOR LINGLE ANNOUNCES ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR WEST HAWAI`I
For Immediate Release: July 8, 2003
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle said today the neighbor islands will have a stronger voice in state government as she announced the formation of the Governor’s West Hawai`i Advisory Committee. The advisory committee will hold monthly public meetings to seek community input and advise the Governor of important issues, budget priorities, and recommendations for state boards and commissions. The first meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2003 at the Ohana Keauhou Beach Hotel, 78-6740 Ali`i Drive.
The members of the Governor’s West Hawai`i Advisory Committee are Beverly Byouk; Glenda Bacon Carter; Jason Ikaika Hauanio; Dr. Daryl Kurozawa; Joanne Ralston; John Ray; Sharon L. Sakai; Shirley Spencer; and Rick Vidgen.
“The first responsibility of the committee is to listen to the community, and I am confident the members of this committee will ensure West Hawai`i’s concerns are heard and brought to my administration’s attention,” said Governor Lingle. Earlier this year, the Governor invited members of the community interested in serving on the advisory committee to submit their resumes.
“I promised to establish advisory committees to give the neighbor islands a stronger voice and to help restore trust and integrity to government by opening up the process,” said Governor Lingle, who has strong ties to the neighbor islands as a former resident, councilmember and mayor of Maui County.
“I know first-hand the difficulty of having your concerns heard and addressed by decision-makers who live on another island. These committees will provide an opportunity for people to be heard and to tell government what is important to them. They are a direct link to my administration and it will help government better serve the public,” added the Governor.
The committee will be made up of nine members and the Governor’s West Hawai`i Liaison, who will serve as a non-voting, ex-officio member.
In addition to West Hawai`i, advisory committees are being established for Kaua`i, Maui, East Hawai`i, Moloka`i, and Lana`i.
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Contact:
Sharron Ackles
West Hawai`i Liaison
Phone: 327-4953
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: 586-0034
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0034
