GOVERNOR'S EAST HAWAI`I COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL TO RECEIVE BRIEFING ON YUKIO OKUTSU STATE VETERANS HOME

For Immediate Release: August 22, 2008

HILO – The Governor’s East Hawai‘i Community Advisory Council will meet on Thursday, August 28 at 5:30 p.m. in the Adult Day Care Room, Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home located at 1180 Waianuenue Avenue in Hilo. The public is invited to attend.

Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home Administrator Dr. John Johnson will brief the council on the first nine months of operation and future of the Veterans Home.  Dr. Johnson is the former director of State Veteran Homes for the State of Colorado and holds a Ph.D. in education.  Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home opened in November 2007 and is the first and only State Veterans Home in Hawai‘i. 

Governor Linda Lingle created 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: (808) 974-6262

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