Gov. Ige Travels to D.C. for National Governors’ Meeting

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

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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.

The schedule for the meeting:

Saturday, Feb. 24:

• Opening Ceremonies and Chair’s Welcome
• Plenary Session 1: International
• Plenary Session 2: The Future of Food and Agriculture
• Plenary Session 3: The Opioid Crisis: What’s Working and Where Do We Go Next

Sunday, Feb. 25:

• Plenary Session 4: Ahead of the Curve: Innovation Governors
• Plenary Session 5: The Future of Innovation in Higher Education
• Plenary Session 6: Caring for our Veterans Through Innovative Treatment and Rehabilitation
• Plenary Session 7: Economic Development and the Future of Work