HONOLULU – Lt. Gov. James R. "Duke" Aiona Jr. presided over a swearing-in ceremony Tuesday for Maui residents appointed to serve on various state boards and commissions.

The Honorable Richard T. Bissen, judge of the Second Circuit Court on Maui, administered the official oath of office to the new members at the ceremony, which was held in the Maui County Council Chambers.

This year Gov. Linda Lingle appointed 52 individuals from Maui to serve on 31 state boards and commissions, including the Advisory Board on Veterans Services, Advisory Committee on Pesticides, Board of Agriculture, Board of Taxation, Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee, Environmental Council, Family Celebration Commission, Fiftieth Anniversary of Statehood Commission, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Board of Directors and Maui Regional Board, Hawaii'i Public Housing Authority, Hawaii'i Teacher Standards Board, Hawaii'i Tourism Authority, Land Use Commission, Small Business Regulatory Review Board, State Board of Nursing, State Council of Mental Health and Statewide Health Coordinating Council. The list of new appointees from Maui is attached.

Nearly 1,300 people statewide serve on more than 160 boards and commissions that were established by the state constitution, state statutes, or executive orders. This year's appointees include 457 people from around the state to serve on boards that cover a wide range of industries and issues. Swearing-in ceremonies for appointees from Molokai and Lanai will be held in July.

For more information or to apply to serve on a board or commission, visit www.hawaii.gov/gov <http://www.hawaii.gov/gov> or send an e-mail to gov.boards@hawaii.gov gov.boards@hawaii.gov> .