GOVERNOR'S EAST HAWAI`I COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL TO RECEIVE BRIEFING ON AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS

For Immediate Release: November 14, 2008

HILO – The Governor’s East Hawai‘i Community Advisory Council will meet on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 5:30 p.m. in the State Office Building Conference rooms A, B and C. The public is invited to attend.

Richard Ha from Hamakua Springs Country Farm and Susanne Friend and Tim Mann from Friendly Aquaponics will be this month’s guest speakers.  They will talk about some of their ongoing agricultural projects as well as their views on the future of agriculture in Hawai‘i and how the state and the community can support these efforts.  Both farms are using and developing sustainable hydroponic farming techniques in their operations.  They are also offering educational opportunities to share their techniques with interested members of the community. 

Governor Linda Lingle created the community advisory councils to give the neighbor islands a stronger voice in state government.  The East Hawai‘i Community Advisory Council holds monthly public meetings to seek community input and advise the Governor of important issues, public priorities, and recommendations for state boards and commissions.

The members of the Governor’s Community Advisory Council are Ken Ah Lo, Andy Baclig, Julie Hugo, Alton Okinaka, Greg Ruhland, Norman Stahl, Carol VanCamp and Jennifer Zelko.

Anyone requiring special assistance or accommodations to participate at this meeting may call (808) 974-6262.  For additional information on Neighbor Island Community Advisory Councils, including meeting minutes and agendas, visit the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov. 

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For more information, contact:

Dylan Nonaka
Governor’s East Hawai‘i Liaison
Phone: 974-6262

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