Lingle will seek federal contacts

By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Washington Bureau

Gov. Linda Lingle says she is exploring ways to increase Hawai'i's presence in Washington, D.C., to help the state stay competitive for federal dollars.

"I think we have to be up there and be competitive," said Gov. Linda Lingle. "We can't just sit back here in Hawai'i." Advertiser library photo

Lingle said last week that Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawai'i, has suggested that the new governor rotate different members of her staff at the capital so her administration would have federal contacts and background when issues arose. Former Gov. Ben Cayetano at one point employed a lobbying firm in the capital while John Waihee had a state staff as advocates, according to Inouye's office.

"I like the idea,"' said Lingle, who said she is weighing several options. "I think we have to be up there and be competitive. We need to have a presence. We can't just sit back here in Hawai'i."

Peter Wiley, director of the office of management consulting for the National Governors Association, said a capital office can be an important base of operations for state interests and a catalyst in dealing with the White House and Congress.

According to the NGA, 36 states and U.S. territories have offices in the capital. The state's Office of Hawaiian Affairs hopes to soon open a capital office to advocate Native Hawaiian recognition. "You have to be here with real eyes and ears to get the nuance of what's going on,'' Wiley said. "You just can't do it from afar.''

During her campaign for governor, Lingle stressed that as a Republican she would have an opening to work with the Bush administration and the Republican congressional leadership.

Lingle said she has already spoken to administration officials about federal recognition for Native Hawaiians, which she listed as her top priority with the state's congressional delegation.

Her other federal priorities include securing benefits for Filipino World War II veterans, ensuring that Hawai'i will have a strategic role in homeland security, and improving the state's share of federal transportation dollars.

Inouye, a leading member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is instrumental in winning federal funds for the state. Lingle said she was also able to meet with Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, the incoming chairman of the committee, during recent ceremonies observing the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Lingle said she would concentrate first on a narrow list of federal requests for Hawai'i. "I'm interested in increasing our effectiveness," she said.