Lingle calls meeting with Senate leaders 'cordial'

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

Gov. Linda Lingle acquainted herself with Senate Democratic leaders on her first full workday yesterday in what she described as a "very cordial" and wide-ranging meeting that covered subjects from appointments and the budget to tourism and education.

Gov. Linda Lingle, during her first full day at work, said her meeting with Senate Democratic leaders left her optimistic. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

Lingle was sworn in Monday as Hawai'i's sixth governor since statehood and the first Republican governor in 40 years. Yesterday's meeting marked the beginning of her dealings with a Democratic-controlled Legislature, which is expected to be — at least for now — friendly.

The new governor spent the rest of her day meeting with her staff to discuss various housekeeping and policy matters before heading off to an inauguration " 'ohana party" at Magic Island, where thousands of invited guests gathered for the finale of Lingle's two-day inauguration celebration.

Lingle and Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona took turns thanking their supporters.

"This is something that we wanted to do," Lingle said of the party in the park. "We wanted it to be an inauguration that nobody would forget. Not just the formal ceremony, but a get-down party with our friends and all the people who supported us throughout the campaign."

Aiona said he and the governor will rely on many at the park party for their help over the next four years.

"We're not going to do this alone," Aiona said. "We look forward to having you with us to make our state where it should be, which is the greatest state of all."

Volunteers handed out nearly 6,000 bento and 5,000 slices of cake to the throngs who were entertained by top local acts. The evening ended with a fireworks display.

Bobbie Velasquez of Kane'ohe was one of more than 4,000 people invited to the party. She said she is looking forward to Lingle's term as governor.

"I think she actually will help the people of Hawai'i," Velasquez said. "I really believe in what she said she'll do."

Earlier in the day, Lingle met with Senate President Robert Bunda, Vice President Donna Mercado Kim, Majority Floor Leader Cal Kawamoto, Majority Caucus Leader Shan Tsutsui, and Ways and Means Chairman Brian Taniguchi behind closed doors for about 90 minutes. Lingle's budget director, Georgina Kawamura, and other advisers, also sat in.

Lingle said she and the Senate leadership did not get into details of any particular subjects but rather outlined their priorities. She said each side pledged to keep in close communication, noting that as a Maui County Council member she didn't like learning from the news media about something the mayor had done.

The governor's relationship with the Senate is particularly important because it is responsible for approving her appointments. Senate President Bunda said: "Right now we don't foresee any nomination problems, but we did discuss if there were some major conflicts or some major problems we would at least talk to each other about them beforehand."

Lingle has not yet named any department heads except for Kawamura and, in the meantime, several division heads and some deputy directors have become acting directors of their departments. She said she expects to announce one or two more appointments this week.

"I think right now it's refreshing because I think the present governor, Gov. Lingle, wants to talk through the issues with the Legislature," Bunda said.

He said former Gov. Ben Cayetano also communicated with lawmakers, but said: "I think Gov. Cayetano was a little bit more combative, I would say, and I think Gov. Lingle wants to overcome some of the challenges that we have with the economy and education and all the issues that are before us."

Both Taniguchi and Lingle said they will work together on balancing the budget. Among the larger budgetary issues are pay raises for public employee unions, as well as Lingle's campaign promises to eliminate the general excise tax on medical services and reinstitute the tax credit for food expenses.

"I know we have certain differences on how we want to approach the budget, but we know that it's going to be a big challenge and we need to work together and hopefully given today's meeting I think we got a good start," Taniguchi said.

Staff writer Curtis Lum contributed to this report.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.