A belief in Hawai‘i, its people and purpose
Posted on Jan 27, 2022 in Capitol Connection, Featured, MainExcerpts of the governor’s 2022 State of the State Address (to see the speech, go to https://fb.watch/aMfo3Kx1w9/)
Gov. David Ige offers heartfelt praise for Hawai‘i.
We’ve endured tremendous hardship over the last two years. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve sacrificed, delayed or cancelled so many of life’s cherished milestones. We’ve had to face shutdowns, restrictions of all kinds, and two variants that have changed how we deal with the coronavirus. And the fight is far from over. But I’m proud of the way that we, as a community, have responded. Our nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals have worked endless shifts to provide quality care. Our teachers and principals have gone above and beyond to make sure students have the opportunity to learn despite the many challenges. Our state and county public employees have worked together to ensure we keep everyone safe. And you have done what you’ve had to do to protect all of us—by getting vaccinated and by conducting your daily lives responsibly.
This pandemic is redefining us as a generation — in the same way that the Great Depression, Pearl Harbor and the Vietnam War shaped their generations. Events and history have a way of repeatedly testing us. In many instances, we’ve had to choose between what is best for ourselves as individuals and what is best for us as a community. As a state, we’ve never been one to take the easy path. Instead, we choose to do the right things for the right reasons. Last week, we celebrated Martin Luther King Day. He said, “The time is always right to do what’s right.” In Hawai‘i, we have a name for this: pono or righteousness. An idea so important that it’s imprinted on our state seal: Ua Mau Ke Ea o ka ‘Āina i ka Pono — The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness. I have three goals this year: To continue to steer us through the pandemic, to strengthen our families and communities, and to move toward full economic recovery. With your help, I know we can accomplish all three.