Schatz Names Two More Community Liaisons

US Sen. Brian Schatz has announced the naming of two additional field representatives for the Big Island.

George “Robby” Robertson and Michael Zola will join Marlena Castro Dixon as regional liaisons for Schatz’s office on Hawaii Island.

The move was described as unprecedented since members of the state’s congressional delegation previously had two liaisons on the Big Island, one for East Hawaii and another for West Hawaii.

“The Big Island is experiencing significant growth,” Schatz in a statement issued this week. “Due to that growth, my office determined that we need more than two field representatives in order to represent the people of Hawai‘i to the best of our abilities.

“I am proud to announce that we are taking the unprecedented step of hiring three field representatives for the Big Island who will bridge the gap between Washington and the people of Hawaii.”

Born and raised on Oahu, Robertson moved to the Big Island in 1972. A former member of the Hawaiian Home Lands Commission, he has managed family lands in the North Hilo district which became the first increment of the Hakalau Forest Wildlife Refuge.

He has a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of California and studied political science at the University of Hawaii’s graduate school.

Robertson will conduct outreach to communities from Kona and South Point.

Zola, who will represent communities in South and North Kohala, has practiced law on the Big Island since 1981. A former president of the Rotary Club of Kona, he holds a law degree from Columbia University.

Marlena Dixon. Courtesy photo.

They will team up with Dixon, who serves the eastern side of the Big Island.

Dixon is a graduate of Hilo High School who holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in health education.

She has served as an epidemiological specialist for the state Department of Health Disease Investigation Branch since 2008. Prior to that, she was a public health educator for the STD/AIDS Prevention Branch, also for the DOH.