GOVERNOR LINGLE APPOINTS MICAH KANE DIRECTOR OF DEPT. OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS

"Micah understands better than anyone how passionate I feel about fulfilling the state's obligation to ensure that Native Hawaiians receive the homestead lands to which they are entitled under both federal and state law," Lingle explained.

"And he has the skills and experience to make it happen," she added. "Having thousands of people on a waiting list for decades is not acceptable to me, and it shouldn't be acceptable to the people of Hawaii,"Lingle said.

"I have worked closely with Micah for the past five years in achieving goals that many thought impossible. Distributing homestead land to all those on the waiting list is simply one more goal that others may see as 'impossible,' but that we will achieve together," Lingle said.

Kane is the current chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party, a position he will resign upon taking his new position on January 2, 2003. He was the party's executive director under Lingle from May 1999 to February 2002.

Kane, a Native Hawaiian, served for more than five years as government affairs liaison for the Building Industry Association. He has a master's of business administration from the University of Hawaii.

"Being appointed to oversee the Dept. of Hawaiian Home Lands is an honor and a privilege, and I look forward to the hard work ahead," Kane said.

"Micah's experience and relationships on the national level with the Republican National Committee will help facilitate our efforts with various federal departments, as well as our work to achieve federal recognition for Native Hawaiians," Lingle added.

Kane's primary focus will be to achieve within five years the distribution of homestead lands to all individuals holding a legal right and desiring a homestead.

He will also work on reinstating the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust Individual Claims Review Panel in order to resolve past claims.

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