GOVERNOR LINGLE APPOINTS THREE TO CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION

For Immediate Release: November 4, 2003

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today announced the appointment of three new members to the Campaign Spending Commission.  Steven E. Olbrich, Gino L. Gabrio, and Paul T. Kuramoto will serve on the five-member commission, which oversees campaign contributions and expenditures for all state and local elections to ensure candidates for public office comply with the law on campaign-related contributions and expenditures.  Olbrich will replace a member who recently resigned, and will serve out the remainder of that term until June 30, 2004.  Gabrio and Kuramoto will serve through June 30, 2007.

“The Campaign Spending Commission plays a vital role in ensuring the integrity of our elections by overseeing contributions to and expenditures by candidates,” said Governor Lingle.  “I have confidence in the judgment, character, and fairness of these three individuals.”

Steven E. Olbrich

Steven Olbrich is a managing partner for Olbrich Farms, a family partnership.  He is manager of various farm properties and is a consultant in animal nutrition.  Olbrich is the former owner and operator of Huanui Dairy in Wai`anae, and previously served as a tenured professor of animal science and a dairy extension specialist at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa.  Olbrich was an elected member of the Wai`anae Coast Neighborhood Board No. 24 from 1991 to 2000.

Gino L. Gabrio

Gino Gabrio, a real estate and banking attorney, is a partner with the law firm of Cades Schutte LLP, which he has been with since 1982.  He is a certified instructor for the Hawai`i Real Estate Commission and serves on the board of Catholic Charities. 

Paul T. Kuramoto, CPA, CMA

Paul Kuramoto, a certified public accountant, is currently manager of Tokumoto, Yamamoto & Ichishita, CPAs, Inc.  Prior to joining the firm, he ran his own company, Paul T. Kuramoto, CPA.  Kuramoto has served as carrier relations manager for Verizon Hawai`i; access review manager for the National Exchange Carrier Association in St. Louis, Missouri; instructor in accounting at Hawai`i Pacific University, and senior management consultant with Ernst & Young.  Kuramoto is an officer and director of the Korean Golf Club, and a former officer and director of Child & Family Service. 

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For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus 
Senior Advisor – Communications 
Phone: 586-7705

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0043