FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/15/07

THE HAWAI‘I ISLAND LEADERSHIP SERIES ANNOUNCES GRADUATES

AND APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR 2007/08 SERIES

HAWAI‘I ISLAND … Mark McGuffie, founder of The Hawai‘i Island Leadership Series - Ulumau is pleased to announce the graduates of the 2006/2007 series. The graduation ceremony takes place at the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce's Annual Luncheon on Friday, June 29, 2007 from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm at the Hualālai Ballroom at Four Seasons Resort Hualālai.

2007 graduates include: Melanie Biddle, Hale Ho‘onanea Bed and Breakfast; Bob Bonar, Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy; Gail Byrne, HC Inc.; Kalai Carey, Four Seasons Resort Hualālai; Anders Carlson, Three Sixty Images; Andrea Dean, Andrea Dean Project Management LLC; Dr. Robert Goodrich, WM Keck Observatory; Nicholas Hermes, Department of Public Works; Paul Kealoha, Hawai‘i County Police Department; Michele Ku, ARC of Kona; Brad Kurokawa, County of Hawai‘i Planning Department; Emily Mendez-Bryant, HHSC West Hawai‘i Region; and Richard Sumada, Department of Water Supply.

The Hawai‘i Island Leadership Series - Ulumau was created to expand the ranks of community leadership by providing a broad range of leaders with the knowledge and incentive to confront the needs of the community. There have been 56 individuals enrolled in the Series since the first class in 2003/2004.

The Series begins in September with an orientation, followed by a two-day opening retreat. From October until May, the classes meet once per month, with full-day sessions, around Hawai‘i Island, to provide working knowledge of pertinent issues facing the community. Participants hear from experts - speakers and panelists, who provide background as well as predictions for the future of the community as a whole. Subjects explored include: Hawaiian Values and History; Public and Private Education; Government; Health and Human Services; The Judicial System; Economic Diversity (agriculture, sciences, tourism, and development; Quality of Life; and future plans for Hawai‘i Island. The Series closes with a two-day retreat and graduation celebration in June.

The Hawai‘i Island Leadership Series - Ulumau began as a fledgling program under the wings of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce. “We sincerely thank the Chamber for their full support for the first four years of the program,” said Mark McGuffie, “as this initiative has grown so successfully island-wide, the Series will be moving effective July 1, 2007 to Friends of the Future.” Founded by Kenneth Brown in 1990, Friends of the Future was developed to create trust and harmony among the diverse cultures of Hawai‘i through a process where all people can openly contribute their deepest values, created shared visions, and continuously improve their communities. Some of the projects initiated and/or supported by Friends of the Future include: “Tūtū's House,” “Health Maps” computer and internet-based education programs; “Earl's Garage,” “Just Think Mobile,” and “Paniolo House.”

To encourage participation at all levels; The Hawai‘i Island Leadership Series encourages corporate sponsorships, scholarships, and donations through Friends of the Future, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Applications for the 2007/2008 Series are being accepted through June 30, 2007, with acceptance notification by July 16, 2007. To download an application form for The Hawai‘i Island Leadership Series, click on your preferred format: Word or PDF, or call Friends of the Future at 808-885-8336.

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Ulumau brochure

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Waimea Youth Center Resource Page was developed by Series IV 2006/2007 of the Hawai'i Island Ulumau Leadership Series.

Affordable Housing Resource Page was developed by Series III 2005/2006 of the Hawai'i Island Ulumau Leadership Series.

Homelessness Resource Page was developed by Series III 2005/2006 of the Hawai'i Island Ulumau Leadership Series.

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Leadership Series Participants