GOVERNOR LINGLE NAMES NEIGHBOR ISLAND COUNCILS OF ADVISORS

For Immediate Release:  July 16, 2005

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has appointed 48 volunteers to serve on six neighbor island councils of advisors that will help the Lingle-Aiona Administration identify issues of importance to each island, recommend ways to improve state government and enhance the quality of life for all Hawai`i residents.  The list of members is attached.

“I appreciate the commitment these individuals are making to ensure state government is responsive to the needs of our residents throughout the state,” said Governor Lingle.  “I encourage the public to participate in the council meetings on their island and to let my Administration know how we can continue to improve government services.”

The six councils are tasked with providing the Governor with a list of short- and long-term issues and goals that should be addressed by state government over the next one-, two- and five-year periods.  The councils will also identify spending priorities and potential new sources of revenue for the state, as well as recommend potential nominees from the neighbor islands to serve on state boards and commissions.  Each council will hold monthly public meetings and seek comments from residents.

The Governor established the councils of advisors in May through an executive order, which also created councils for the islands of Moloka`i and Lana`i for the first time.  The new councils build on the success of the four neighbor island advisory committees (West Hawai`i, East Hawai`i, Maui and Kaua`i) the Governor established when she first took office.

The Governor invited residents to apply to serve on the councils of advisors.  Members of the advisory committees were required to re-apply.  The council of advisors for West Hawai`i, East Hawai`i, Maui and Kaua`i each have nine members, while the Lana`i council has five members.  Due to the level of interest in serving on the Moloka`i council, the Governor issued an amended executive order to increase the members from five to seven.

The councils include individuals with expertise in business, education, native Hawaiian issues, social services, arts and culture, energy, agriculture and the environment.  The members will serve as volunteers and will receive no compensation, but will be entitled to reimbursements for related expenses while attending the meetings and carrying out the council’s responsibilities.  The Governor’s neighbor island liaisons will assist the council in carrying out their functions.

For more information about the Governor’s Neighbor Island Council of Advisors, please visit the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov, or contact the appropriate liaison office.

EAST HAWAI`I – HILO
Liaison:  Andy Smith
75 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Phone: (808) 974-6262
Fax: (808) 974-6263
E-mail – hilogov@hawaii.gov

WEST HAWAI`I – KONA
Liaison:  Sharron L. Ackles
75-5722 Kuakini Highway
Kuakini Tower, Suite 215
Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i 96740
Phone: (808) 327-4953
Fax: (808) 327-4952
E-mail – konagov@hawaii.gov

MAUI
Liaison:  George N. Kaya
2264 Aupuni Street, #1
Wailuku, Hawai`i 96793
Phone:  (808) 243-5796
Fax:  (808) 243-5049
E-mail – mauigov@hawaii.gov

KAUA`I
Liaison:  Laurie L. K. Yoshida
3060 Eiwa Street, #106
Lihu`e, Hawai`i 96766
Phone:  (808) 274-3100
Fax:  (808) 274-3103
E-mail – kauaigov@hawaii.gov

MOLOKA`I AND LANA`I
Office of the Governor – Liaison Office
Hawai`i State Capitol, Executive Chambers
Honolulu, Hawai`i 96813
Phone: (808) 586-0034
Fax: (808) 586-0019
E-mail – Charen.Ching@hawaii.gov

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For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus  
Senior Advisor – Communications  
Phone:  (808) 586-7708

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

GOVERNOR’S NEIGHBOR ISLAND COUNCILS OF ADVISORS

KAUA`I

James Anakalea, technician, Hawaiian Telcom; vice president, Ku Hale, Inc.
Linda Collins, president and COO, Kikiaola Land Company, Ltd.
Laura Cushnie, island manager, Goodfellow Bros., Inc.
Villamor C. Galiza, senior pastor, Aloha Church of God; presbyter, Kaua`i Assemblies of God
Scott Giarman, executive director, Kaua`i United Way
Jerry Ornellas, agricultural research technician, University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
Barbara Smith, retired teacher, Hanalei Elementary School
Matt Takata, senior vice president and regional manager, Title Guaranty Escrow Services, Inc.
Dr. Leo Trinidad, planning director, Kaua`i Economic Opportunity

LANA`I

Cindy Arruiza, heavy equipment coordinator, Dole Foods
John delaCruz, social worker, Department of Human Services
Matthew Mano, wastewater treatment plant worker, County of Maui
Douglas Rolefson, transportation security screening supervisor, Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration; president, Bridgeport Benefits of Hawai`i, Inc.
Nani Watanabe, cultural resources manager, Castle & Cooke Resorts

MAUI

John Henry, photographer, John Henry Photography, Inc.
Diane Ho, attorney
Ezekiela Kalua, executive director, West Maui Taxpayers Association
Carl Lindquist, owner, Hana Coast Realty, Inc.; founding partner, Hana Coast Gallery
Jo-Ann Ridao, managing director, Lokahi Pacific
Madge Schaefer, retired
Janice Shishido, teacher, Department of Education
Kalei Sombelon, account manager, Cendant Car Rental Group (formerly Budget Rent a Car)
Stan Steinmark, founder, Strategic Transitions Research (STR Corporation)

MOLOKA`I

Robert Granger, retired, Cargill Seeds
Sue Ann Hasegawa, online librarian, Troy University, Alabama
Janice Kalanihuia, administrator, Moloka`i General Hospital
Jersula Manaba, housing manager, Hale Mahaolu
Steven Nawahine, teacher, Moloka`i High School
Marlene Purdy, part owner, Purdy’s Natural Macadamia Nut Farm
Charlotte Seales, substitute teacher; coordinator for medical services, Moloka`i Occupational Center

EAST HAWAI`I

Kenneth Ah Lo, retired, HPM Building Supply
Andres “Andy” Baclig, sales manager, Aiona Car Sales
Ted Hong, attorney at law
John Kai, president and co-founder, Pinnacle Investment Group, LLC
Tom Kalili, assistant vice president, Bankoh Investment Services, Inc.
Dylan Nonaka, real estate sales agent, Property Network
Alton Okinaka, associate professor, Division of Social Sciences, University of Hawai`i-Hilo
Pua Tokumoto, cultural events coordinator, Tahiti Fete of Hilo and Tahiti Fete of San Jose
Carol VanCamp, general manager, Prince Kuhio Plaza Shopping Center

WEST HAWAI`I

Beverly Byouk, president, Ocean View Community Association
Douglas Carr, owner and chief diver, Professional Divers Hawai`i, Inc.
Leilani Kihoi, consultant/social worker, Department of Education
Joanne Ralston, founder, Joanne Ralston & Associates
John Ray, president, Hawai`i Leeward Planning Conference
Philip Reilly, owner, Loulu Valley Farm
J. William Sanborn, mortgage loan consultant, HomeStreet Bank
Shirley Spencer, sales, web design and marketing, Island Art Supply
Rick Vidgen, president, MacFarms of Hawai`i

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