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Lingle plans to run for
re-election in 2006

Don't expect Gov. Linda Lingle to be packing her bags for Washington any time soon.

"I will be running for re-election as governor in 2006," Lingle said Wednesday during a meeting with the Associated Press and member newspapers.

Lingle, who in 2002 became the first Republican in 40 years to win Hawaii's top elected office, said she and Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona will run again as a team.

She also put to rest any rumors that she has been recruited by national GOP officials to run for Congress.

"I've never received a call from any official at the national level -- Republican, Democrat, Green or anybody else -- asking me to run for anything. They know that I intend to seek re-election as governor," she said.

Elected officials who believe they can make a difference are focused on achieving public support in the next election by addressing the concerns of their constituents, she said.

And the ability of state Republicans to gain back seats in the Legislature that they lost in the last election hinges on what happens with this year's Democratic majority, she said.

"I think whether or not we're able to elect more Republicans next year depends upon the actions of the legislators this year on the Democrats' side," Lingle said.

Past legislator honored

State flags were flown at half-staff Saturday in honor of former state Rep. Abel Medeiros, who died April 8 at his home in Koloa, Kauai. He was 85.

Medeiros served in the state House from 1959 to 1962 and on the Kauai County Council from 1970 to 1974. In 2003 he was elected to a one-year term on the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative board of directors.

Abercrombie gets medal

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie was presented with the Silver de Fleury Medal last week for his contributions and support to the Army Corps of Engineers.

Lt. Gen. Carl Strock, chief of the corps, presented Abercrombie with the medal Thursday in a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Strock said Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, was selected for the medal for his "tremendous impact on the mission readiness capabilities and quality of life of all the members of the armed services and the nation."

Liu to advise U.S. official

The director of the state Business, Economic Development and Tourism Department has been selected to serve on an advisory committee to U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez.

Theodore Liu was one of 17 national and regional experts chosen for the committee, which will advise Gutierrez on the president's Strengthening America's Communities Initiative.

The committee held its first meeting on Friday in Fresno, Calif.

The committee's recommendations report is expected to be completed by May 31.

For more information on the president's initiative and the committee, go to the U.S. Department of Commerce's Web site at www.commerce.gov/SACI.

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