MEDIA RELEASE

With a focus on forging partnerships and providing economic relief to Hawaii residents and businesses, Gov. Linda Lingle is in Washington, D.C. for the National Governors Association annual meeting.

The focus of this year’s meeting, which complements the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s focus on investing in improvements to Hawaii’s infrastructure, is rebuilding, repairing and maintaining a national infrastructure system that supports economic competitiveness and facilitates economic growth. 

The governors also will meet with President Obama and members of his cabinet to discuss states’ roles in implementing the federal stimulus package.

Over the last two days, Lingle has met with Obama Administration officials, including:

* Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Energy Czar and Assistant to the President Carol Browner to discuss Hawaii’s energy independence initiatives; 

* Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shawn Donovan to address affordable housing opportunities and efforts to protect Hawaii homeowners from foreclosure; 

* Secretary of Veterans Affairs General Eric Shinseki to ensure Hawaii’s veterans are receiving the services they need. 

She is also scheduled to meet with Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to discuss Hawaii’s role in homeland security in the Asia-Pacific region.

Joining the governor in Washington, D.C. are members of her cabinet, who are meeting with their federal counterparts to discuss how funds from the federal stimulus package will flow to Hawaii, explore future opportunities for collaboration and promote top priorities for the state, including renewable energy, our Highways Modernization Plan, and improving Hawaii’s broadband infrastructure.

The governor’s Chief of Staff Barry Fukunaga is heading the state’s efforts to coordinate and expedite the process to effectively utilize the federal funds to stimulate the local economy.

Moving forward with infrastructure improvements that will strengthen Hawaii’s economic future and improve residents’ quality of life has been a long-standing focus of the Lingle-Aiona Administration, which initiated the $2.3 billion Airports Modernization Plan in 2006, the $618 million Harbors Modernization Plan in 2007, and the $4 billion Highways Modernization Plan initiated in 2009.

“Having the modernization plans in place – the airports, harbors and highways – is really positioning us well to make certain that we take full advantage of the funding that is going to come from Washington,” Lingle said. “My cabinet directors have been working very closely with Senator Inouye’s office and with his staff so we’re very aware of what we need to do to put these dollars to work.”