Even though I leave my official duties behind tomorrow, I look forward to staying involved in helping our state realize its full potential and reach its destiny.

You can learn more about our administration's accomplishments at www.GovernorLindaLingle.com 

HONOLULU – One hundred and twelve teams of middle and high school robotics students from Hawai‘i, California, Nevada and China put their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to the test for the past three days in a friendly, spirited competition that pitted robots against robots, and showcased students’ ingenuity, teamwork and ability to think analytically under pressure.

(Media release) — Governor-Elect Neil Abercrombie today appointed five department directors and two deputy directors to the Abercrombie Administration.

I was just informed that Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle used strong language against IMG and Thomas Rubin, preparers of the State’s Rail Fiscal Analysis Report, and that he alleged that I helped the governor’s consultants with the report. This is consistent with Peter Carlisle not knowing what he is talking about.

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle announced today that she granted pardons to 44 individuals in the final five months of her term in office, bringing the total number of individuals pardoned by the Governor this year to 55.  In July, Governor Lingle announced she had pardoned 11 individuals in the first half of 2010.  In total, Governor Lingle pardoned 132 individuals during her eight years in office. 

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle announced today that the leading tour operator in China, China Youth Travel Services Holding (CYTS), intends to offer special flights that will bring visitors from China to Hawai‘i for the celebration of the 2011 Chinese New Year. 

While BPC has focused primarily on federal policy issues – including energy, health care, national and homeland security, transportation and economic policy – during its first three years, it is increasing its efforts to draw upon the policy and political experience that exist at the state level. 

A press release from the University of Hawaii at Manoa on November 24, 2010 announced the results of a computer study by UH climatologists which portends greater global warming in the future.  Even though this was a computer study of other computer studies, the authors were correct in pointing out that there has been great disagreement between the many existing global climate models.  In most of these cases the computer models have consistently overstated future global temperatures.  We also know that estimates of future atmospheric CO2 have also been overestimated.

The new Kokua Online Application, available at http://kokua.dhshawaii.net, enables low-income residents and their advocates to enter and submit information electronically and then monitor each stage of the approval process to determine if additional information is required.

The world economy contracted in 2009 for the first time since the 1930s. This year, growth has staged a moderate rebound, but will ease off somewhat in 2011. Overall, the global recovery has been anemic by historical standards.

“Legislation as highly complex and divisive as the native Hawaiian bill requires vigorous discussion, debate, and amendments,” Kyl said. “An attempt to include it in unrelated legislation to keep the government operating is a breach of process and is an example of what the American people are tired of – back room deals that are inserted in secret packages written behind closed doors.”

In light of Honolulu project’s size compared to the population served by it, Governor Linda Lingle requested that the Hawaii Department of Transportation procure an independent financial review.  Infrastructure Management Group, Inc. (“IMG”), in conjunction with the Land Use and Economic Consulting Group of CB Richard Ellis (“CBRE”) and Thomas A. Rubin (together, the "IMG Team”) was tasked by the Hawaii Department of Transportation to evaluate the rail project’s financial plan, including revenues and costs, the post-rail operating plan, and the fiscal implications for Honolulu.

Washington, DC — Congressman Charles K. Djou (HI-01) issued the following statement reacting to the news that the United States and the Republic of Korea have reached a deal on the languishing free trade agreement. Congressman Djou has been a leading voice in the U.S. House, advocating for this agreement from the first day he was in office.

Mission Houses Museum, located in Honolulu’s Historic Capitol District, is known worldwide as the place where the Hawaiian written language was developed. The museum preserves the oldest and second oldest houses in Hawai‘i and the largest collection of Hawaiian language books in the world.

Hosting 112 teams from around the globe, the majority of which are Hawaii-based teams, Hawaii has topped the list as the largest VEX Robotics tournament in the world, outside of the world championships hosted in Orlando, FL.

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today transmitted the final report of an independent financial analysis of the proposed Honolulu Rail Transit Project to Mayor Peter Carlisle, Council Chair Nestor Garcia and Governor-elect Neil Abercrombie.  A copy was also sent to the Federal Transit Administration and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.  The report is meant to provide an objective assessment of the overall financial impact of the rail project to Hawai‘i taxpayers in the future. 

Meeting at Lanai High and Elementary School, the Board also elected Oahu at-large member Randall Yee as first vice chairperson. Big Island member Herbert Watanabe will serve as second vice chairperson.

Washington, DC — Congressman Charles K. Djou (HI-01) issued the following statement after voting to censure Congressman Charles Rangel:

Success for the Kalanimoku PV project can be credited to the collaborative efforts of Patricia Saito, project officer for the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE), Russ Saito, comptroller of DAGS, and Ted Liu, director of DBEDT.