The Maui News

Maui County Councilmember Kelly King last week was appointed to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Local Government Advisory Committee, a 39-member group that provides independent policy advice to the EPA on a broad range of issues affecting municipalities and their residents.

King, who is in her third term holding the South Maui residency seat, was chosen by EPA administrator Michael S. Regan, who said that she and 33 other new LGAC appointees were considered among more than 150 nominations.

The LGAC, chartered in 1993 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, includes 20 women and 16 people of color, is composed of councilmembers, mayors and other elected and appointed officials from 30 states, Tribal nations and U.S. territories, representing a diverse cross-section of cities, counties, towns and communities across the United States, Regan said.

“I take seriously this opportunity to provide guidance on environmental and climate change impacts to local governments, proactive rather than reactive infrastructure, promotion of circular economies and methods to improve quality of life for communities big and small,” said King in a news release. “As the only appointee from Hawaii, it is my privilege and great responsibility to provide our islands a voice and representation at the table.”

King also serves on the Hawaii State Association of Counties’ executive committee, as a member of the Maui Nui Food Alliance Steering Committee and on the board of directors for ICLEI USA and the National Association of Counties’ Western Interstate Region. She previously served on the Hawaii Renewable Energy Alliance and the Hawaii Technology Development Corp.

King chairs the Maui County Council’s Climate Action, Resilience and Environment Committee and has authored legislation to express the council’s support for sustainable tourism, a transition to a circular economy, the Paris Climate Accord and the THRIVE Agenda, “Transform, Heal and Renew by Investing in a Vibrant Economy.”

In the council’s annual budget sessions, she is advocating for recycling, wastewater reuse, open space acquisition, smart growth and environmental protection, according to the news release.

The LGAC will hold their first meeting this fall.

For more information about the LGAC, visit https://www.epa.gov/ocir/local-government-advisory-committee-lgac.