Gov. David Ige took time Thursday to debrief reporters on his recent visit to Washington, D.C., highlighting his meetings with President Obama, federal officials and other governors.

The National Governors Association’s Winter Meeting provided the impetus for the trip, but Ige said he used his time there to talk to a number of people.

“Funding for the Department of Homeland Security was a priority for all of the governors,” Ige said in a release.

Special Adviser to the Governor Elizabeth Kim walks with Gov. David Ige on their way to their next appointment Monday in Washington, D.C.

Cory Lum/Civil Beat

“If the funding is not approved, much of the work will continue at great personal cost to the frontline personnel who would have to report for duty without being paid,” Ige said. “In addition, a lapse in funding will have a real impact on FEMA’s ability to ensure that a wide range of emergency personnel have the resources they need to do their jobs and keep our communities safer and more secure.”

Ige personally invited Obama to deliver the keynote address at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress in 2016. Hawaii is hosting the event, which is like the Olympics of conservation meetings. It’ll be the first time it’s been held in the U.S.

The governor also met with Anthony Foxx, secretary of transportation, to assure him that Hawaii will do a better job of using federal funds in a timely fashion to maximize transportation dollars. He also talked to him about easing access for international visitors via Kona Airport and a pre-clearance program.

His marathon of meetings included time with at least 11 other senior government officials and business leaders. Learn more about what he conveyed to each person here.