Advisory Council Members
The Council
The CBED Advisory Council Members reviews all requests for financial assistance (loans and grants) to assess whether the proposed community-based economic development activity or enterprise is likely to achieve the purposes of the CBED program. The Council makes recommendations to DBEDT regarding the appropriateness of the proposed activity or enterprise, and DBEDT then has final authority to approve or disapprove the financial assistance.
| COLLEEN MCALUNEY | Oʻahu Exp: 06/30/2025 (Holdover) |
| TEENA RASMUSSEN | Maui Exp: 06/30/2027 |
| KAIANA NEIZMAN | Hawaiʻi Island Exp: 06/30/2029 |
| KAREN BARR | Oʻahu Exp: 06/30/2027 |
| MICHELLE AGBIGAY | Hawaiʻi Island Exp: 06/30/2029 |
| WILLIAM SMITH | Kauai Exp: 06/30/2029 |
| ROBBIE MELTON | Kauai Exp: 06/30/2026 |
| DENNIS T. LING Representative for Director James Kunane Tokioka Department of Business, Economic Development. & Tourism |
DBEDT Representative |
| JOSEPHINE “PONI” ASKEW Ex-Officio Representative for Chair Carmen Hulu Lindsey Office of Hawaiian Affairs |
OHA Representative |
| MATTHEW K. LOKE Representative for Chairperson Sharon Hurd Department of Agriculture |
DOA Representative |
DBEDT CBED Program Administrators
JASON USHIJIMA, Branch Chief, Business Support Branch
RAM ARNAN BRAZA, Economic Development Specialist, Business Support Branch