HONOLULU – Gov. Linda Lingle has appointed 38 volunteers to serve on six councils of Neighbor Island advisers that will help the Lingle-Aiona administration continue to identify issues of importance to the residents of each 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 from the Neighbor Islands to serve on state boards and commissions. The councils will hold public meetings and seek comments from residents.

The Councils of Neighbor Island Advisors for East Hawai‘i, West Hawai‘i, Maui and Kaua‘i each consist of seven members, while the Moloka‘i and Lana‘i councils each have five members. 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 council’s responsibilities. The governor’s Neighbor Island liaison will assist each council in carrying out their functions. The councils will be terminated on Nov. 30, 2010.

The governor’s councils of Neighbor Island advisers follow similar temporary councils established by Lingle in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

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