Posted on: Monday, June 21, 2004

Governor's success limited in Washington

By Frank Oliveri
Advertiser Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — Gov. Linda Lingle's 2002 challenge to herself — and promise to voters — was that she would increase Hawai'i's presence here and use her Republican credentials as entry to the White House to help Native Hawaiians gain recognition.

But although it is clear from Lingle's calendar that she and her staff have met frequently with the president, vice president and Cabinet officials, she has enjoyed only limited success in pushing the Native Hawaiian agenda.

And the successes she can point to — as well as the potential failures — must be shared with the powerful Hawai'i delegation headed by Democratic Sen. Daniel Inouye.

Lingle has met with President Bush three times since October 2003, and with Vice President Dick Cheney once. She's also held dozens of meeting with Cabinet members, while her staff has held dozens more.

"I have only one role, and that is to look out for the interests of my state," Lingle said. "That's what I was elected to do."

White House officials said they "enjoy good relations" with Lingle, one of 28 GOP governors in the nation, just like they do with the governors of all 50 states. Lingle last met with Bush in late February as part of a National Governors Association meeting. She also had met with Bush — a former Texas governor — earlier that month.

"The president ... understands the challenges that face the nation's governors," said Ken Lisaius, a White House spokesman.

In her first 18 months in office, Lingle has claimed credit for millions of dollars in federal grants in areas such as drug control and treatment services, mental health care, Native Hawaiian education programs, public housing, Medicaid drug programs, nurses' training, and a host of low-interest loans for various uses.

But all federal money must channel through Hawai'i's congressional delegation, and the state long has been ranked in the top six nationally for receiving federal money.

Federal grants are dispersed by Congress with lawmakers guiding allocations to their states through discretionary wrangling or fighting for federal financing formulas that favor their states. State leaders often channel their requests through their congressional leaders.

"I guess it is OK for her to take some credit," said U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawai'i. "But it's like saying, 'The first baseman for UH (batted) 4 for 4 and he did that because I went to the ballpark.' "

Bipartisan efforts

The greatest impact Lingle might make would be by lobbying Washington on behalf of Native Hawaiian recognition. It is why in 2002 Lingle made it her top priority in Washington.

"There is legitimacy that she would be in a place better than a Democrat, certainly better than someone like Abercrombie, going to the administration trying to get something done," said James Thurber, director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University.

Lingle has worked with Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai'i, and Inouye in stressing the importance of Native Hawaiian recognition to the Bush administration. The Akaka bill would create a framework for negotiations among the federal government, state officials and Native Hawaiians over issues related to the indigenous people of the island state.

It's an important bipartisan effort, said Haunani Apoliona, chairwoman of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees.

"I think in terms of our expectations, this year is an important year," she said. "Everyone is focused on its successful enactment."

It was Lingle's mission to get the Bush administration to back off on challenges it might make to the bill and seek assistance from the Interior Department in updating the bill.

Lingle succeeded on both measures, she said. Specifically, the governor persuaded skeptics in the administration not to challenge the constitutionality of the legislation.

Akaka spokesman Paul Cardus supports her claims.

During two of her meetings with Bush, Lingle has discussed Native Hawaiian issues. She's also talked about the issue with Cheney, Attorney General John Ashcroft, Interior Secretary Gale Norton and others. Lingle has also lobbied Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.; Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.; and House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill.

"They are aware of how strongly I feel about this issue," Lingle said.

Bill wrangling

Akaka said he and Inouye have worked closely with Lingle to bring about a successful conclusion for Native Hawaiians.

But the bill continues to be held up by Kyl, who refuses to lift a "hold" — or legislative block — on the measure, Lingle confirmed.

Nor has Frist made space on the Senate calendar for the bill to be brought up.

Lingle asked Kyl to lift his hold, but he refused.

Kyl objects based on his belief that indigenous peoples should be treated no differently than other racial groups, Lingle said.

Kyl's office did not answer requests for an interview.

Still, Lingle faces a more basic problem than the political maneuvering on Capitol Hill.

Neal Milner, a political science professor at the University of Hawai'i, said that Native Hawaiian recognition is "not that important in Washington, and (Lingle) hasn't changed that in any significant way."

Lingle said, at this point, it's Inouye's challenge to get a vote on the bill.

"It was his responsibility to get it before the Senate," she said.

Inouye and Akaka have until October, when the legislative session is expected to end. If the bill does not get considered for a vote, the process begins anew next year.

Inouye declined requests to be interviewed for this story.

He confirmed in February that Senate Republicans had approached him and Akaka seeking their support for the president's energy bill.

In return for their support, discussions took place about allowing a vote on Native Hawaiian recognition. To date, nothing has come of those discussions.

But there could be renewed interest in a compromise after the president's recent calls for Congress to pass his energy bill, which Democrats have thwarted through a filibuster.

Lingle said she'd continue to use her position to lobby in Washington.

"I am the first Republican in 40 years to get elected to governor in Hawai'i," she said.

"People pay attention."