MEDIA RELEASE

The Blue Planet Foundation announces the addition of Crystal Rose, Christine Camp, Ernest Nishizaki, and Kyle Datta to the organization’s board of directors. The new members will help advance Blue Planet’s efforts to end Hawaii’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Crystal Rose has been a partner at the law firm of Bays Lung Rose & Holma since 1987. Rose’s business litigation over the past two decades has helped shape the face of Hawaii business. Rose has experience and expertise in corporate governance and related legal and compliance issues. She has served on the Board of Directors of Central Pacific Bank, Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiian Electric Company, and the Gentry Companies. She also has served as a Commissioner to the State of Hawaii Department of Hawaiian Homelands.

Christine Camp is Managing Director of Avalon Development Company, LLC. Prior to launching Avalon, Camp Friedman was the Vice President of Development at A&B Properties, Inc. in charge of the company’s real estate development and investment acquisition activities. She was also the Senior Project Coordinator of Planning and Engineering at Castle & Cooke Properties, Inc. where she handled site acquisition and development of non-company owned properties, including the Waikele and Wailuna master planned communities.

Ernest Nishizaki is executive vice president and chief operating officer of Kyo-ya Management Co., Ltd. which owns the Sheraton Waikiki, Royal Hawaiian, Sheraton Moana Surfrider, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, and Sheraton Maui hotels in Hawaii. Upon graduating from the University of Hawaii, he joined ITT Sheraton Corporation’s management trainee program and worked in various management positions at several properties here and on the mainland. Nishizaki became the first Hawaii-born general manager of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in 1993.

Kyle Datta is a founding partner of Ulupono Initiative, which invests in locally produced food, renewable energy, and waste reduction efforts to make Hawaii more sustainable. Previously, Datta was the CEO of U.S. Biodiesel Group (RMI); Managing Director of Research and Consulting at the Rocky Mountain Institute; and a vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton where he served as managing partner of the firm’s Asia energy practice and head of the U.S. utilities practice. He is co-author of the RMI books “Winning the Oil End Game” and “Small is Profitable.”

“We welcome Crystal, Christine, Ernie, and Kyle with great appreciation of their willingness to advise us on the most effective strategies for accelerating our critical mission,” said Blue Planet Foundation CEO Jeff Mikulina. “These four professionals bring a rich diversity of experience and perspective that will provide valuable guidance for the Foundation.”

“The visitor industry accounts for a large chunk of the state’s energy consumption. Our hotels and resorts can lead by example, making energy efficiency improvements that benefit the industry as well as Hawaii’s clean energy goals,” said Ernest Nishizaki, explaining his commitment to the Blue Planet mission. “The work that Blue Planet is doing to move Hawaii beyond oil is critical, not only for our islands, but also the globe.”

“My focus is to expedite removal of barriers that stand in the way of Hawaii’s clean energy future. As a business person, I am focused on practical approaches that have meaningful results, and I believe in Blue Planet’s vision and its overarching goals,” added Christine Camp. “We must continue to strive to push and resonate clean energy issues as we owe it to our next generation.”

The current Blue Planet Board of Directors includes:
Henk Rogers, President
Darren Kimura, Vice President
Dr. Virginia Hinshaw, Secretary
Robert Lloyd, Treasurer
Gov. George Ariyoshi
Christine Camp
Dr. Peter Crouch
Kyle Datta
Bert Kobayashi
Ernest Nishizaki
Crystal Rose
Dave Williams

The Board of Directors recently adopted a revised vision and mission for the clean energy organization. Blue Planet’s vision is a world of abundant, renewable energy that sustains all life on Earth. Its mission is to clear the path for clean energy.

Blue Planet Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to clearing the path for clean energy: We inspire leaders to change the rules, and accelerate cost-effective, secure, renewable energy. We inspire communities to adopt smart, replicable energy solutions. We inspire everyone to believe in the power and possibility of a future beyond fossil fuels.

— Find out more:
www.blueplanetfoundation.org