Gov. Linda Lingle speaks with Hawaii County Executive Assistant Bobby Command following her keynote address Thursday, Feb. 5 to the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce.

 

Karin Stanton/Hawaii247.com Contributing Editor

Gov. Linda Lingle is continuing her call for the Legislature to work with her administration to address the state’s immediate and long-term economic health.

The governor used her annual keynote speech at the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce luncheon earlier this month – and again at the Maui Chamber of Commerce annual meeting and at the Kapaa Business Association general membership meeting – to review the state’s budget and urge support for her administration’s five-point economic action plan.

Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona also used a recent visit to West Hawaii to tout the action plan.

The plan calls for intensified efforts to reduce fees and taxes to help lower the cost of living and doing business in the state; investing in improvements to infrastructure; maximizing federal dollars and partnerships; increasing tourism outreach and marketing; and attracting private investment, especially in energy.

Lingle repeatedly reminded her audiences how rapidly the state’s economic situation soured, free-falling from a $720 million surplus at the end of fiscal year 2007 and a $331 million surplus at the end of fiscal year 2008 to the $1.8 billion budget shortfall over the next two and one-half years.

“The state budget is unlike any budget you’ve ever seen,” Lingle said at the Kona-Kohala chamber luncheon. “It fluctuates day to day, based on the projection (of the Council on Revenues). It’s a moving target for us.”

The budget, which by state mandate must be balanced each year, is likely to cause “fireworks” this legislative session, said freshman West Hawaii Rep. Denny Coffman.

Lingle said her administration is working closely with the Legislature to identify solutions, while also pursuing proactive measures to boost the economy and create jobs.

“We’re doing everything right,” Lingle said. “We didn’t cause it. And budget cuts alone won’t fix it.”

The state’s pursuit of energy independence is one area Lingle said is critical to Hawaii’s economic health.

“This is not business as usual,” Lingle said, adding that as the most oil-dependent state in the nation, Hawaii’s transition to a clean energy economy is especially important.

Aiona also has said the era of big oil is over and Hawaii must take advantage of its renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, hydro and geothermal.

The administration has proposed legislative measures to transform Hawaii’s electric generation and delivery system; accelerate existing and new energy efficiency initiatives; and modernize the transportation sector by increasing the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles.

While attracting private investment in renewable energy is a cornerstone of the five-point action plan, another top priority is increasing tourism outreach and marketing.

Lingle called for increased outreach efforts in emerging markets such as China and Taiwan, as well as a continued focus on the mainland.

“We’re not the cheapest place you could go,” she said, “but it’s a good value.”