Lingle appointees 'part of new beginning'

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

Gov. Linda Lingle's first, and largest, round of appointees to state boards and commissions were made official yesterday with the swearing-in of 239 O'ahu residents.

At a ceremony at Washington Place yesterday, Hawai'i Supreme Court Associate Justice Steven Levinson administered the oath of office for 239 O'ahu residents who Gov. Linda Lingle appointed to serve on various boards and commissions. Ceremonies on the Neighbor Islands also are planned. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

During the swearing-in ceremony at Washington Place, Lingle told the appointees their tasks will not just be serious, but "joyous because you're going to be a part of the new beginning for our state."

She said she received more than 1,100 resumes from people who were interested in serving. She appointed 313 people to 146 boards and commissions statewide.

Several of those appointed have close ties to Lingle and her gubernatorial campaign, including UH Regents Ted Hong and Kitty Lagareta; East-West Center Corporation board members Eddie Flores, Miriam Hellreich and Roland Lagareta; Judicial Selection Commission member Dr. Philip Hellreich; and Land Use Commission member Rae McCorkle.

Hawai'i Supreme Court Associate Justice Steven Levinson, who administered the oath of office for the appointees, relayed a motto from Chief Justice Ronald Moon's father, Duke Moon: "Public service is the rent you pay for the space you occupy on Earth."

Swearing-in ceremonies for other appointees will be held on the Neighbor Islands.

For more information about the 146 boards and commissions overseen by the governor's office, or to apply to serve on a board or commission, visit www.hawaii.gov/gov/team/boardscommissions.html or e-mail gov.boards@hawaii.gov.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.