Lingle names governor's liaisons for Big Island

By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

Gov. Linda Lingle has appointed Andy Smith, a former University of Hawai'i-Hilo basketball player, as her liaison to East Hawai'i, and named Sharron Ackles as her liaison to West Hawai'i.

Smith, 28, waged a strong campaign for the state Legislature last year as a Republican against Rep. Eric Hamakawa, D-3rd (Hilo, Kea'au, Mountain View).

He graduated from UHH with a degree in sociology, and is a former branch manager for Holsum/Orowheat. He coaches 11- and 12-year-olds in baseball and basketball.

Smith began overseeing the governor's office in Hilo yesterday.

Ackles, the former executive vice president for race operations for the Iron Man Triathlon, will oversee the governor's Kona office starting Monday.

She is a certified fitness instructor at The Club in Kona.

Smith and Ackles will also oversee the East Hawai'i and West Hawai'i advisory committees. Lingle has encouraged Big Island residents to volunteer to serve on the committees.

Lingle said she promised during the campaign to create the committees to give the Neighbor Islands a stronger voice in state government, and to restore trust in government by opening up the process.

The committees will serve as advisory groups to the governor on community issues. Residents interested in serving on one of the committees should submit résumés by March 10 to the Hilo or Kona governor's liaison office.