10 Things Hawaii's Next Governor Has Said He'll Do

Monday marks the beginning of David Ige’s first four-year term as governor of Hawaii.

The long road to his inauguration at the State Capitol was historic, particularly his surprising win in the Aug. 9 primary over Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

It was also grueling. There were almost too many candidate forums to count, not to mention all of that sign-waving and fundraising en route to Ige’s Nov. 4 victory over Republican Duke Aiona.

Sen. David Ige, on stage during the 2014 Hawaii Gubernatorial Democratic Forum presented by Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce and held at the Japanese Cultural Center in Moiliili on June 24, 2014.

David Ige, seen here at a gubernatorial candidates forum in June, promised to do a lot of things as governor.

PF Bentley/Civil Beat

But now it’s time to get to work. And there’s much to be done.

Ige’s six-month campaign was filled with statements about what his priorities and goals would be if he were elected. He spoke often of his record as a state lawmaker for the past 29 years and the direction he wants to steer Hawaii as governor.

Here are 10 of the things the public should expect to see from its new top executive, as compiled from interviews, news releases and Ige’s campaign website, which has shifted into a post-election mode.

Triple the supply of affordable housing in Kakaako.
Develop a plan to double local food production.
Alleviate the Department of Education’s top-down bureaucracy by empowering principals, specifically increasing the weighted-student formula spending to 75 percent from 58 percent.
Boost government transparency by holding weekly press conferences and limiting charges for public records to basic copying costs.
Introduce legislation to ensure Medicaid recipients receive services equal to those available through Kupuna Care.
Increase hotel capacity.
Direct and adequately staff the Hawaii State Energy Office to develop a clean energy industry.
Modernize the Department of Taxation to collect $450 million in back taxes.
Ensure independence of the Public Utilities Commission and adequacy of staff to make electricity more affordable.
Increase funding to control and prevent invasive species.