Lingle seeks unique view
on trip to IsraelThe governor plans to meet
with leaders including Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon
Gov. Linda Lingle will fulfill a lifelong ambition next week when she travels to Israel.
Lingle, who with Pennsylvania's Ed Rendell are the only two Jewish governors in the United States, will lead a 27-person delegation to Israel from Monday to May 22.
The trip started with an official invitation from Israel. Travel costs for Lingle; Vivian Aiona, wife of Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona; and Lenny Klompus, senior communications adviser, will be paid for by Israel. All other members of the Hawaii delegation will be responsible for their own expenses. Lingle said no state funds will be used.
In February, Lingle and five other American governors made a surprise visit in Iraq to meet with Hawaii soldiers stationed in the war zone.
Calling Israel "America's strongest ally in the Middle East," Lingle said she will met with President Moshe Katsav, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the mayor of Jerusalem, members of the Knesset -- Israel's legislative body -- university professors and female leaders.
Lingle stressed that she would also meet with "opposition party members."
"We are trying to get a well-rounded briefing," Lingle said. "My hope and goal is to get a broad and well-rounded view. I requested meetings with women leaders and people in the universities because the university is where you tend to get a different point of view, rather than the mainstream view."
The trip comes just after this Friday's 56th anniversary of Israel's independence.
State officials pointed out that Lingle is one of several governors to be invited to Israel. California's Arnold Schwarzenegger, New York's George Pataki and Colorado's Bill Owens have already visited as guests of Israel.
The trips are part of Israel's effort to build support, Lingle said.
"It is similar to when Taiwan invites governors to come. It (Israel) is a country that needs world opinion to be understanding of their situation, and so ... having governors visit is part of their outreach to the world," Lingle said yesterday at a news conference in her office.
"It also raises Hawaii's profile in the world, and I think that has lot of value," Lingle said.
In previous interviews Lingle recalled how as a young girl she would save dimes to donate to a drive to plant trees in Israel and how she wished that someday she would be able to see the results of those plantings.
Lingle said in a recent Associated Press report that Judaism is a part of her identity that guides her leadership through compassion and understanding.
"Anyone who was raised in a Jewish family, I think, would feel the same way. We're defined by our concern for other people, especially for people who need help, who can't help themselves," Lingle said.
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Governor bringing delegation
Gov. Linda Lingle will be accompanied on her trip to Israel by:
on trip to Israel>> Vivian Aiona, wife of Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona.
>> Senior communications adviser Lenny Klompus.
>> Robert Lee, state adjutant general.
>> Sandy Kunimoto, agriculture director.
>> Ted Liu, business and economic development director.
>> Lillian Koller, human services director.
>> Stephanie Aveiro, housing and community development director.
>> Rep. Mark Moses (R, Makakilo-Kapolei).
>> Kitty Lagareta, University of Hawaii regent, and husband Roland Lagareta, chairman of the East-West Center board.
>> Miriam Hellreich, vice chairwoman of the East-West Center board and a national GOP committeewoman, and husband Phillip Hellreich, Judicial Selection Commission member.
>> Gae Bergquist-Trommaid, state Foundation on Culture and the Arts commissioner.
>> Rabbi David Glickman.
>> Rabbi Itchel Kransjansky.
>> Rabbi Avi Magid.Also accompanying them will be spouses of the delegation and Dana Washofsky, president of Temple Emanu-El; Craig Washofsky, vice president and general manager of Servco Appliances; Joyce Cassen, an ophthalmologist; and Baron Guss, president and chief executive of Altres.
