REGIONAL CEO-KAUA`I, HAWAI`I HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION TO ADDRESS KAUA`I COUNCIL OF ADVISORS

For Immediate Release:  March 6, 2006

LIHU`E – The Governor’s Kaua`i Council of Advisors will meet at 5 p.m., Thursday, March 9, 2006, in meeting rooms 2A & 2B of the Moikeha Bldg., 4444 Rice St.

Orianna Skomoroch, regional CEO-Kaua`i, Hawai`i Health Systems Corporation, will update the Council on events taking place within the Kaua`i region, which includes West Kaua`i Medical Center/Kaua`i Veterans Memorial Hospital, Mahelona Medical Center/Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital (SMMH) and the West Kaua`i Clinics - Waimea, Ele`ele, and Kalaheo.  SMMH recently received approval for Critical Access Hospital designation.  Construction of emergency facilities is also taking place at SMMH.

Governor Linda Lingle created Councils of Advisors to give the neighbor islands a stronger voice in state government.  The Kaua`i Council of Advisors holds monthly public meetings to seek community input and advise the Governor of important issues, budget priorities, and recommendations for state boards and commissions.

The members of the Governor’s Kaua`i Council of Advisors are James Anakalea, Linda Collins, Laura Cushnie, Vilamor Galiza, Scott Giarman, Jerry Ornellas, Barbara Smith, Matt Takata, and Leo Trinidad.  For more information about the Governor’s Kaua`i Council of Advisors, please visit the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov , or contact the Kaua`i liaison office:

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

Anyone with special needs requiring accommodations to participate at this meeting should call 808-274-3100 for assistance.

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For more information, contact:
Laurie L. K. Yoshida         
Governor’s Kaua`i Liaison         
Phone:  (808) 274-3100

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

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