David Y. Ige

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige is in Washington, D.C. to attend the National Governors Association’s Winter Meeting, which will include discussions on the future of food and agriculture, transportation infrastructure and the opioid crisis.

The governor will also attend the Western Governors’ Association meeting, where he will participate in a wide range of discussions including the future of innovation in higher education, economic development planning, caring for veterans through innovative treatment and rehabilitation.

Also this week, Gov. Ige will join fellow governors for a White House briefing with the president, vice-president and cabinet members, and head to Capitol Hill for a meeting with U.S. senators and a policy briefing with U.S. representatives.

While in D.C., the governor is scheduled to meet privately with the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Pam Patenaude and senior defense officials.

Traveling with the governor is First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige, Chief of Staff Mike McCartney, Director of Communications Cindy McMillan, and Senior Special Assistant Lisa Hiraoka.

The total estimated cost of the trip is $20,000.

Lt. Gov. Doug Chin serves as acting governor until he travels out of state on Thursday evening. At that time, Budget and Finance Director Laurel Johnston becomes acting governor until Gov. Ige returns to Hawai‘i on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

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Media Contacts:
Jodi Leong
Deputy Communications Director/Press Secretary
Office of the Governor
Office: 808-586-0043
Mobile: 808-798-3929
[email protected]

Cindy McMillan
Communications Director
Office of the Governor
Office: 808-586-0012
Mobile: 808-265-7974
[email protected]