LT. GOVERNOR JAMES R. "DUKE" AIONA, JR. TO DISCUSS FIVE-POINT ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN

KONA – The Governor’s West Hawai‘i Community Advisory Council will meet on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i Authority (NELHA) Gateway Center, at 73-4460 Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway #101, Kailua-Kona. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.

With the economy a top concern for families and businesses across West Hawai‘i, Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. will meet with residents to discuss the implementation of the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s comprehensive, five-point action plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs.  The plan’s key components include increasing tourism marketing and outreach, investing in improvements to state infrastructure and facilities, lowering business fees and providing tax relief, attracting private investment especially in energy and maximizing federal partnerships and funding. 

As part of the effort to invest in public infrastructure improvements, the Administration is working with the counties, including Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi, as well as the construction industry, labor unions and the nonprofit sector to implement a $1.8 billion capital improvement plan that focuses on 1,521 state projects that have been budgeted and approved by the Legislature and are ready to start construction within the next 18 months.  The projects span all six islands and include 327 projects on the Big Island totaling $406,713,790.  The projects and their status can be viewed on the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/cip.

Governor Linda Lingle created community advisory councils to give the neighbor islands a stronger voice in state government.  The West 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.

Members of the Governor’s West Hawai‘i Community Advisory Council are Rick Vidgen, Estela Halverson, Lei Kihoi, Glennon Gingo, Dale Fergerstrom and Elaine Watai from Kona; Doug Carr from Waikoloa; Joanne Ralston from Kapa‘au; and Beverly Byouk from Ocean View.

Anyone requiring special assistance or accommodations to participate at this meeting may call 327-4953.  For additional information on neighbor island councils of advisors, including meeting minutes and agendas, visit the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov. 

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For more information, contact:
Andy Smith
Governor’s Liaison – West Hawai‘i
Phone: 327-4953

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

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