David Y. Ige

HONOLULU – Gov. Ige and members of his cabinet held the first in a series of community forums to be scheduled across the state at Windward Community College in Kāne‘ohe tonight.

The program included remarks by Gov. Ige and brief presentations by State Health Department Director Virginia Pressler, Department of Transportation Deputy Director Ed Sniffen and the Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness, Scott Morishige.

Community members at the well-attended event participated in a question and answer period, during which they expressed the strongest concerns over a range of topics including the Hawai‘i State Hospital plans, education, homelessness and TMT.

“When I became governor on December 1, the courts had already made a decision to approve the TMT project. As governor, I must support that decision. On a personal note, I support the Thirty Meter Telescope as it is an opportunity for Hawai‘i to become a leader in astronomy, but the state must do a better job of managing Mauna Kea,” said Gov. Ige.

“I agree with Gov. Ige when he said that homelessness is a community effort and everyone needs to get engaged and become part of the solution,” said Jessica Spencer, president of the Associated Students of the University of Hawai‘i – WCC..

“I think it’s important for the governor and his administration to reach out to the community to understand the issues that are most important to us,” said Kāne‘ohe resident Kathy Olivera.

The forum was co-sponsored by Windward Community College’s student government and Ka ‘Ohana, WCC’s student newspaper.

The Community Connection series will continue with forums being scheduled across the state.

Photos of the event can be found here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsknr5BDH

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Media Contacts:

Jodi Leong

Deputy Communications Director/Press Secretary

Office: 808-586-0043

Mobile: 808-798-3929

[email protected]

 

Cindy McMillan

Communications Director

Office: 808-586-0012

Mobile: 808-265-7974

[email protected]