GOVERNOR IGE TRAVELS TO NEW YORK, WASHINGTON, D.C. FOR FINANCE MEETINGS, NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION WINTER MEETING

News Release from Office of the Governor February 17, 2016

Honolulu – Gov. David Ige is traveling to New York today in an effort to secure favorable bond ratings, which will allow the state to borrow funds at low interest rates. The state is pursuing funding for new capital improvement projects. It is also looking at refinancing opportunities of existing bonds, which are expected to save the state between $25 to $30 million.

Gov. Ige and Director of Finance Wesley Machida will meet with representatives of Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investor Service and Standard and Poor’s Rating Services on Thursday.

On Friday, Feb. 19, Gov. Ige travels to Washington D.C. to participate in the Winter Meeting of the National Governors Association. He will attend sessions on a wide range of topics at the conference including economic development, housing and homelessness, Homeland Security and public safety, innovations in conservation and resource management, education and the workforce.

The governor will also participate in meetings with President Obama and his cabinet.

While in D.C. the governor will meet with various federal officials to further his initiatives. The following meetings are scheduled:

• Secretary of the Department of Interior Sally Jewel – regarding the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s World Conservation Congress, which Hawai‘i will be hosting in September
• Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Gina McCarthy – regarding renewable energy
• Director Abigail Hopper, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Department of the Interior – regarding offshore renewable energy opportunities in Hawai‘i
• Secretary Julian Castro of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Deputy Secretary, Nani Coloretti – regarding homelessness and public housing

Traveling with the governor are first lady Dawn Amano-Ige, staff members Elizabeth Kim and Ryan Tsuji, and members of the executive security detail.

The cost of the trip is estimated at $16,000.

Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui serves as acting governor until Gov. Ige returns to Honolulu on Wednesday, Feb. 24.

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