MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has appointed fourteen Big Island volunteers to serve on two Councils of Neighbor Island Advisors – one for East Hawai‘i and one for West Hawai‘i. The two seven-member councils will help the Lingle-Aiona Administration continue to identify issues of importance to the Big Island, as well as recommend ways to improve state government, encourage public discussion and participation in key initiatives, and foster innovative ideas. The councils will also identify potential nominees to serve on state boards and commissions. The list of members is attached.

“Public involvement is critical to ensure state government is responsive to the specific needs of East and West Hawai’i, and I appreciate the time and dedication these volunteer members are giving to help improve their communities and our entire state,” said Governor Lingle. “Through the prior advisory councils for East and West Hawai‘i, my Administration has gained valuable input, innovative ideas and fresh perspectives on issues that are important to Big Island residents and businesses. The role of the new Councils of Neighbor Island Advisors is even more crucial as we must all pull together to find solutions to the current economic challenges, while ensuring that we continue to plan for the future.”

The members have diverse backgrounds and expertise in business, agriculture, education, native Hawaiian issues, social services, healthcare, arts and culture, energy, and the environment.

The members will serve as volunteers and will receive no compensation, but like other boards and commissions, they will be entitled to reimbursements for related expenses while attending meetings and carrying out the councils’ responsibilities.

The two councils will hold monthly public meetings to seek comments from residents. The East Hawai‘i Council will meet on the last Thursday of each month. The West Hawai‘i Council will hold meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. Times and locations of the meetings are subject to change.

The Governor’s liaison for East Hawai‘i, Marc Miranda and her liaison for West Hawai‘i, Andy Smith, will assist each respective council in carrying out their functions.

Councils of Neighbor Island Advisors have also been established for Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i and Kaua‘i. The new councils will be terminated on November 30, 2010.

The Governor’s councils of neighbor island advisors follows similar temporary councils established by Governor Lingle in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

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

EAST HAWAI‘I – HILO
Liaison: Marc Miranda
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: Andy Smith
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