Hawaii’s Brighter Future

With the 2008 session in full swing, my Administration is working closely with the State Legislature to advance 180 bills that would improve the quality of life in our island home. While my Administration strives to lead by example when it comes to finding innovative solutions to the challenges we face, the fact is we need the involvement of every citizen, including business leaders, to reach our state’s fullest potential. In January, my Administration unveiled redesigned websites for all state departments featuring upgraded navigational and multimedia tools to improve access to government information and facilitate the participation of all citizens in the future of their state. I encourage you to visit my website at www.hawaii.gov/gov for details on my 2008 initiatives, plus text and video of my complete State of the State Address. As I emphasized in my address, innovation is not just a passing idea, but a pathway to a higher standard of living and a brighter future. Last year, we unveiled the Hawai’i Innovation Initiative, and this year, we will continue our efforts with renewed vigor. While pursuing high-tech solutions is an important part of innovation, our goal is to incorporate innovation across all sectors so that as government, we do things better, faster, less expensively and in a more environmentally friendly fashion. With three biodiesel refineries being developed on Kaua’i, Maui and O’ahu, as well as increases in hydropower production and wind power in our state, innovation is clearly at play in boosting Hawai’i’s energy efficiency. But with nearly 77 percent of the state’s electricity and more than 99 percent of its transportation fuel remaining dependent on imported petroleum fuels, we must continue finding innovative solutions to achieve greater energy independence. In January, I announced a plan to install solar panels at 12 locations across six islands, which would reduce our need to import 130,000 barrels of oil per year as part of one of the largest state solar initiatives in the country. To maintain this momentum, my Administration has announced the creation of a new Energy Division within DBEDT that will consolidate and heighten our efforts toward energy self-sufficiency. I am also working to win legislative approval of several energy initiatives this session, including expanding the successful “pay-as-you- save” solar water heater program to photovoltaic systems that convert sunshine into electricity. In addition to energy independence, my Administration remains focused on efforts to diversify our economy, including through resources to assist local entrepreneurs in starting businesses in Hawai’i. This legislative session, I am proposing that the state invest more money in the High Technology Development Corporation’s successful Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, to help more local businesses secure federal financing and also receive matching funds from the state. We must also continue to work to attract more high-paying jobs to Hawai’i and help employees develop the career-building skills they need to compete in a global marketplace. Toward that end, I am reintroducing initiatives to create tax-free lifelong learning accounts for employees to use toward training programs, and to establish Rapid Response Training programs through our universities and colleges to provide custom courses in areas that offer high-paying jobs and aid in the protection of our state. By working together, we can lower the cost of living in our state, and achieve a balance between economic growth and the protection of our natural resources. But as members of our business community, we need you to be involved by contacting your legislators on what you believe will lead Hawai’i toward a brighter future. My Administration is also eager to consider your input. I invite you to send your feedback and suggestions to my office at governor.lingle@hawaii.gov, and to learn more about my initiatives and sign up for my e-newsletter at www.hawaii.gov/gov. Mahalo! Governor Linda Lingle Mahalo! Governor Linda Lingle United First Financial 808.586.0034 governor.lingle@hawaii.gov www.hawaii.gov/gov

This entry was posted on Monday, March 24th, 2008 at 4:29 pm and is filed under Archives - Apr-Jun 2008. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.