GOVERNOR LINGLE APPOINTS ANDY SMITH AS GOVERNOR’S LIAISON FOR EAST HAWAI`I; SHARRON ACKLES AS GOVERNOR’S LIAISON FOR WEST HAWAI`I

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle announced today the appointment of Andy Smith to serve as the Governor’s Liaison for East Hawai`i, and Sharron Ackles to serve as the Governor’s Liaison for West Hawai`i. The Governor also encouraged residents to apply to serve as volunteers on the newly formed East Hawai`i and West Hawai`i Advisory Committees, which Smith and Ackles will oversee, respectively.

Andy Smith
As the liaison for East Hawai`i, Smith will oversee the Governor’s Office in Hilo, which provides state IDs and marriage licenses, as well as general information and assistance on state matters. He will start on February 24.

“Andy brings a great positive energy to this position,” Governor Lingle said. “He is in tune with the community and I know he will serve the people of East Hawai`i with a passion for addressing their concerns and a strong commitment to making life better for everyone.”

“I’m very honored the Governor has so much trust in me,” said Smith. “I love this community and I’m looking forward to serving the people. I feel I have a ‘can-do’ attitude, and that is a signature of Governor Lingle’s administration.”

Smith graduated from the University of Hawai`i at Hilo with a degree in sociology and played on the university’s basketball team. He worked for Hawai`i Baking Co. dba Holsum/Orowheat before accepting the Governor’s Liaison position.

Smith ran for the State House (District 3, Hilo, Kea`au, Mountain View) in the 2002 election. He currently coaches 11- and 12-year-olds in basketball and baseball.

Sharron Ackles
Sharon Ackles will oversee the Governor’s office in Kona beginning March 3.

Ackles is the former executive vice president for race operations of the Ironman Triathlon in Kona. She is a certified fitness instructor at The Club in Kona and promotes a healthy lifestyle as a building block for improving quality of life.

“Sharron is a proven leader with a tremendous work ethic,” Governor Lingle said. “She understands the needs and issues of West Hawai`i, and she will do an outstanding job of being an advocate for the community.”

“This is an exiting challenge for me and I am honored the governor has placed such faith in me,” said Ackles. “I can’t think of a better way to serve our West Hawai`i community, and I am looking forward to a new beginning with the Lingle administration.”

Advisory Committees
The East Hawai`i and West Hawai`i Advisory Committees will serve as advisory groups to Governor Lingle on community issues, as well as provide the public an avenue for participation in state government. The committees, which will operate separately in their respective communities, will hold open meetings to encourage public discussion on issues residents feel are important to bring to the attention of state government.

“I promised to establish the 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 will help government better serve the public,” added the Governor.

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For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus, Senior Advisor-Communications
808-586-0034

Russell Pang, Chief of Media Relations
808-586-0034