At a press conference today, Lingle also said that she expects to fill all the jobs with people from Hawai'i.

"It's so exciting because of the caliber of the résumés we are receiving from throughout the state," Lingle said.

Lingle said she has asked her search committee to look for the best people and not just people they think they could get. Her committee to find a director for the Department of Health already has listed its top selections.

The governor-elect will leave today for the Mainland on a trip that will last through Nov. 25. She will attend the National Governors Association Conference in Texas and, afterwards, the Republican Governors Conference in California. She called them "how-to-be governor" conferences.

Lingle has 21 days left before her inauguration. Much of her attention is being taken by preparing a state budget.

"For me, most important is getting the budget in a shape that is fiscally responsible," she said.