Public Invited to Learn About County Issues at Conference

File image by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

The public is invited to register for the next month’s Hawai‘i State Association of Counties conference for an opportunity to learn about issues facing county governments and residents across the state, Maui County Councilmember Michael Victorino announced.

Victorino, who serves as treasurer for the HSAC, said this year’s HSAC conference theme is “He Malama Puwalu,” or “United in Service,” and will feature opening remarks by Gov. Neil Abercrombie, Honolulu City Councilmember Stanley Chang and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell.

The event will be held June 12-13 at the Moana Surfrider in Waikiki, and includes a luncheon featuring speaker Leslie Wilkins, vice president of the Maui Economic Development Board, who will cover the topic “Workforce for the 21st Century.”

“I look forward to learning from esteemed speakers, and having an opportunity to talk with colleagues and members of the public from throughout the state,” said Victorino in a press release announcement. “I encourage all in both government and the private sector to attend this important annual event and exchange ideas.”

Other conference highlights include:

• A panel discussions on clean energy goals for the state;
• workshops relating to the visitor industry, the global economy, climate change and leadership;
• a recap of teh 2014 legislative session by political analyst Dan Boylan; and
• tours of Oceanit Laboratories in Downtown Honolulu and the Kawailoa Wind Farm on Oahu’s North Shore.

The cost of registration is up to $250, depending on which meetings, workshops and meals are selected. Online registration and the conference schedule are available on line at the HSAC 2014 Event website.

Student and government discounts are available. For inquiries, call Brandon Mitsuda at (808) 768-5091 or email [email protected].

All four counties in the state belong to the nonprofit HSAC, which is affiliated with the National Association of Counties.