GOVERNOR’S EAST HAWAI`I ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO MEET IN HONOKA`A ON THURSDAY, MARCH 31 AT HALE HO`OLA HAMAKUA

For Immediate Release:  March 23, 2005

HILO – The Governor’s East Hawai`i Advisory Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, March 31 at Hale Ho`ola Hamakua in Honoka`a.  The public is invited to attend and to present testimony.

This month the advisory committee will welcome Ron Schurra, chief executive officer East Hawai`i Region, Hawai`i Health Systems Corporation, who will report on the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation for Hale Ho`ola Hamakua.

“We invite the Hamakua community to attend this meeting to gain a better understanding of what is happening at the Hale Ho`ola Hamakua acute care facility,” said Andy Smith, Governor’s Liaison for East Hawai`i.

Governor Linda Lingle created advisory committees to give the neighbor islands a stronger voice in state government.  The East Hawai`i Committee holds monthly public meetings to seek input and advise the Governor on important issues, budget priorities, and recommendations for state boards and commissions.

The members of the Governor’s East Hawai`i Advisory Committee are Chairman Alton Okinaka, Vice Chair Carol Van Camp, Andy Baclig, Barry Taniguchi, Lorraine Stahr, Ken Ahlo, Glen Kagamida, Lilian “Pua” Takamoto, and Tom Kalili.

Anyone requiring special accommodations to participate at this meeting may call 974-6265 for assistance.  For additional information on neighbor island advisory committees, including past meeting agendas and minutes, visit the Governor’s website at www.hawaii.gov/gov.

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For more information, contact:
Andy Smith  
Governor’s East Hawai`i Liaison  
Phone: 974-6262

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043