David Y. Ige

Governor Ige and editor Libby Young

Every month for the past seven years, I’ve been able to talk story with Governor Ige for the Capitol Connection newsletter. We sit at a round table in his office — sometimes while he’s munching on his lunch because that’s the only time he has to eat. We usually talk for an hour, I never give him questions in advance, and he never micromanages which issues to cover or how to tell the story. But he does care that what we publish is fair and balanced and accurate.

As a journalist and former journalism teacher, what I’ve valued most is that I felt I could ask the governor anything, and he would answer as honestly as he could. He isn’t the type to care about poll ratings, but considering how challenging the job has been and the progress made in key areas — not to mention the pandemic — we in the office think he and his team should get more credit for what’s been accomplished. We see the rude comments on social media and other commentaries and wonder what these same folks would do if they had to make the same tough decisions — and bear the responsibility, day after day, of being governor —not just as armchair critics or media pundits.

I also am able to interview the First Lady for her corner of the newsletter — a chance to share her many projects and initiatives to benefit the children of this state. From these and other experiences, I’ve come away with a tremendous respect for all the work state agencies do — work we often don’t see in the headlines, but that is essential to our well-being.  Most of all, I want more people to appreciate those elected officials who govern with integrity and substance, not just style or social media hits, because we need ethical, informed decision-makers and an informed electorate to make Hawai‘i the best it can be.

Read more in the November/December Capitol Connection newsletter.

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