DUKE AIONA ANNOUNCES STATEWIDE GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP TEAM

County and regional chairs to lead Aiona's local outreach efforts

HONOLULU – Duke Aiona today announced five county chairs and co-chairs and 13 regional chairs for his growing campaign. The leadership team will provide grassroots support to mobilize and turn out voters for Duke Aiona in the 2010 gubernatorial election.

The grassroots leadership team comprises a broad cross-section of supporters representative of Hawai‘i’s diverse population. Aiona’s chairs will help to formulate and implement grassroots strategy and support his vision to improve education, strengthen the economy and create jobs.

“This election is going to be won on the grassroots level, and my team is on the ground in communities throughout the state,” said Lt. Governor Duke Aiona. “I’m honored to have their support to improve the quality of life for all of our residents in 2010 and beyond.”

“Duke is a principled leader who listens to the concerns of families and small businesses,” said O‘ahu County Chair Bob Zalopany. “He will bring accountability, integrity and a greater sense of community to our state as Governor.”

“Our family has known Duke a long time, and there is no one we would rather have as Governor in 2010,” said Maui County Chair Myles Kawakami. “He not only understands the issues facing Neighbor Island residents, but he and his wife Vivian also clearly understand what it takes to be parents raising their children here in Hawai‘i.”

"Duke's grassroots support continues to grow on Hawai`i Island," said Hawai`i County Chair Sonny Shimaoka. "He's the right man at the right time to serve as our Governor in 2010."

"Duke cares about issues facing Kaua`i," said Kaua`i County Co-chair Don Kimi. "He listens to residents and follows up with them to address their concerns."

More information about the Duke Aiona for Governor campaign can be found on DukeAiona.com. Residents can also contact one of several island-specific email addresses. Among them: Hawaii@DukeAiona.com, Maui@DukeAiona.com, Molokai@DukeAiona.com, Lanai@DukeAiona.com, Kauai@DukeAiona.com, and Oahu@DukeAiona.com.

Duke’s grassroots leadership team is as follows:

Hawai‘i Island

• County Chair – Sonny Shimaoka
• Hilo – Phil Aganus
• Kona – Ron and Daisy Mitchell

Maui

• County Chair – Myles Kawakami
• Moloka‘i – Charles and Noe Keliikipi
• Lana‘i – Joelle Aoki
• West Maui – John Brunold
• Central Maui – Leinaala Drummond
• South Maui – Kathy Mannoia
• Upcountry – Jo Ann Kegely

Kaua‘i

• County Co-Chair – Don Kimi
• County Co-Chair – Matt Higa

O‘ahu

• County Chair – Bob Zalopany
• Windward – John and Carol Harris, Keoki Leong
• Waikiki, Diamond Head – Lester Fung
• Downtown, Punchbowl – Wayne Rhoden
• ‘Aiea, Mililani – Matt Kaneshiro
• Leeward, North Shore – James “Bird” Mahelona

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