Honolulu's leadership has seen a reshuffle, with Governor Josh Green, M.D., naming fresh faces to key boards and commissions tasked with shaping the future of Hawaiʻi's public sectors. Among the appointments, Lisa Paulson emerges as a standout figure, stepping onto the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) board with a vast trove of experience from the hospitality and nonprofit arenas. According to a news release from the Office of the Governor, Paulson's appointment comes as a strategic move to bolster sustainable tourism and cultural preservation.
Paulson, who is known for her three-decade tenure spurring growth and fostering community ties on Maui, has demonstrated a knack for bridging gaps between the visitor sector and local interests. Her previous role as executive director of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association witnessed her to skillfully lobby for education funding in hospitality and to advocate for balanced regulations that benefit Maui’s economy and environment alike. Her involvement in the creation of Maui's Destination Management Plan reflects an ability to carefully balance tourism with respect for the island's environmental and cultural needs.
Carlotta Amerino, another appointee spotlighted in the Governor’s announcement, will to take up the helm as Director of the Office of Information Practices. Amerino brings nearly 22 years of experience within the same office, having served as a staff attorney and then as a supervising attorney. Her legal expertise and deep roots in public service, starting from her clerking days under Judge Marie N. Milks (ret.), make her position instrumental in guiding the Office's mission forward.
Beyond these prominent appointments, Governor Green’s announcement also includes valuable additions across various sectors, with Mikiʻala Lidstone as a cultural specialist on the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority (HCDA) Board, Trey Gordner on the Kalaeloa Board, and Fonokalafi Misi joining the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board. Each individual brings their unique expertise, signaling the government’s intent to diversify input and strengthen governance in Hawaii.
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