Governor Linda Lingle - Biography

As Hawai‘i’s chief executive, Governor Linda Lingle is leading the direction and effort to meet the challenges of the 21st century and capitalize on new opportunities during a pivotal and exciting time of change in the history of our state and world.

She has provided a clear vision for the fundamental transformation of Hawai‘i’s economy through the Hawai‘i Innovation Initiative and the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative, both of which will make Hawai‘i a global leader in the 21st-century economy.

Governor Lingle has complemented these long-term initiatives with her comprehensive five-point action plan to improve current economic conditions for Hawai‘i residents and businesses. The plan is made up of tested strategies that will create jobs and stimulate the economy, including the ongoing modernization of Hawai‘i’s infrastructure.

Throughout her time in office, Governor Lingle has initiated major upgrades to our airports, harbors, public schools, highways, state parks, hospitals and other public facilities. As part of her proactive five-point plan, more than $1 billion in already approved and budgeted public construction projects are being accelerated to stimulate the economy and accelerate job growth.

This focus on improving economic conditions is consistent with one of Governor Lingle’s first actions upon assuming office: implementing a policy of strict fiscal accountability. Fiscal responsibility will continue to be a priority as the Administration works to maintain a balanced budget while preserving critical public services.

The protection of Hawai‘i’s natural resources has also been a major focus for Governor Lingle as she works to preserve the unique aspects of life in our islands. Through public-private partnerships, the state has played a vital role in the preservation of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the Wao Kele O Puna rainforest on the Big Island, and Pūpūkea-Paumalū and Waimea Valley on O‘ahu. Governor Lingle has also spearheaded efforts to protect the undeveloped land on the Turtle Bay property on O‘ahu’s North Shore.

Recognizing the importance of global partnerships in an increasingly technological and interconnected world, Governor Lingle has been proactive in forging links with our Asia-Pacific neighbors. A notable accomplishment in this area includes the 2007 creation of a State Partnership Program (SPP) between the Hawai‘i National Guard and Indonesia, which improves regional security and disaster preparedness.

In addition to Indonesia, Governor Lingle has visited China, Japan, Taiwan, Israel, the Philippines and South Korea to form partnerships in education, trade, tourism, business and emergency preparedness. As commander-in-chief of the Hawai‘i National Guard, she has also visited Hawai‘i troops in Iraq, Japan and Korea, and makes it a point to reflect on their tremendous sacrifices at her many speaking engagements.

Governor Lingle took office on December 2, 2002, committed to bringing about a “New Beginning” for the people of Hawai‘i by making state government more open, accountable and responsive. Her tremendous success at accomplishing these goals and revitalizing Hawai‘i led to re-election for a second four-year term in November 2006 by the largest margin of victory in any gubernatorial race in state history, which included winning all of Hawai‘i’s 51 house precincts.

Governor Lingle is the sixth elected Governor of Hawai‘i. She is the first mayor, first woman and first person of Jewish ancestry to be Governor. She is also the first Republican to lead the Aloha State in more than 40 years. In November 2005, she was awarded the Diversity Best Practices Award for Leadership in Government – the first such award for a state’s chief executive.

She first served the people of Hawai‘i in 1980 as a member of the Maui County Council, and went on to complete five two-year terms, three representing the island of Moloka‘i. In 1990, she was elected Mayor of Maui County and served two full four-year terms. Under her leadership, job growth was faster in Maui County than anywhere else in the state.

Governor Lingle was born on June 4, 1953 and is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. When she was 12, her family moved to Southern California, where she attended public schools and graduated from Birmingham High School. She relocated to Hawai‘i in 1975 after graduating cum laude with a journalism degree from California State University, Northridge. In 1976, she founded and began serving as publisher of the Moloka‘i Free Press.