Governor Linda Lingle

Aloha! 

Thank you for visiting my official website. I hope you will use the rich multi-media content on this site to learn about what my Administration is doing to improve the quality of life for all of the people of Hawai`i. It is our ongoing goal to ensure we are on the cutting edge of an increasingly interconnected global economy. 

As families and businesses across the state face economic realities, largely as a result of factors taking place at the national and global level, my Administration continues to move forward with proactive short-term initiatives to strengthen Hawai`i's economy. 

My Administration’s five-point economic action plan is focused on areas where we can have a great impact and help Hawai`i’s families and businesses, by strengthening the economy and preserving and creating jobs. 

The action steps we are taking include the following: 

• Increased tourism outreach and marketing; 

• Investing in improvements to state infrastructure and facilities; 

• Lowering business fees and providing tax relief; 

• Attracting private investment, especially with renewable energies; and 

• Maximizing federal dollars and partnerships. 

Building on the momentum of this plan, Lt. Governor Aiona and I recently returned from concurrent trips to Asia, where we promoted travel to Hawai`i and sought increases in flights from Asia in meetings with key tourism and airline industry leaders. 

To help sustain Hawai`i's economy over the long-term, we continue to move forward on strategies aimed at fundamentally transforming our state toward an innovation-based economy. These plans include the Hawai`i Innovation Initiative, which is focused on developing our workforce with skills they need to succeed in today’s global economy. You will find many positive signs of progress, including an exciting surge in student robotics programs in our schools that are helping to teach our young people the skills and knowledge they need to compete in the 21st century. 

We are also committed to building a clean energy future for the state through the Hawai`i Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI). Launched in January 2008, the HCEI is an unprecedented partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy that aims to have at least 70 percent of Hawai`i’s power come from clean energy by 2030. This partnership, combined with recent developments, including the historic agreement reached between the state and the Hawaiian Electric companies, has established Hawai`i as a world leader and a model in energy independence. I encourage you to visit my energy webpage often to follow the exciting progress we are making in this important area. 

Transforming our economy toward innovation and energy independence is critical to building a sustainable future for our islands and will allow us to preserve the natural resources that make Hawai`i unique. I encourage you to find new ways to make a difference by contacting my office via telephone at (808) 586-0034 or via email at governor.lingle@hawaii.gov. 

Mahalo!

Governor Linda Lingle