The Star-Bulletin has done a disservice to its readers by its misrepresentation of the facts surrounding Gov. Linda Lingle's decision not to attend a meeting with President-elect Barack Obama in Philadelphia (”;Our opinion,”; Dec. 1).

This past election elicited more passionate feelings - good and bad - than any other presidential election in recent memory. Unfortunately, as we seek to put the election behind us and unify behind our new president, the Star-Bulletin has chosen to continue campaign-style political rhetoric.

No one recognizes the ebbs and flows, the strong feelings and lingering effects of an election more than Gov. Lingle. More importantly, she recognizes that when the votes are counted on Election Day, the season for politicking is over and the victor represents all the people. This year the campaign ended on Nov. 4, and the governor has made that point crystal clear.

Gov. Lingle's decision this week not to accept the invitation to attend a meeting with the president-elect was not intended as a snub or to be disrespectful in any way. Her decision not to join the governors' meeting was not a political one, but a practical one.

Due to Hawaii's distance from Philadelphia, the trip would have entailed at least three full days in order for the governor to attend an 85-minute meeting. This meeting - scheduled with just seven days' notice - comes at the time that our state budget preparations are in their final stages. Facing a budget shortfall of more than $1.1 billion, the governor is striving to make the most effective use of her time.

With that as a backdrop, it is important to understand the governor's schedule. Throughout the week, as she finalizes the biennium budget, which is due in three weeks, and prepares for the 2009 legislative session, the governor is holding seven meetings with her Cabinet members and leaders of her economic team. Yesterday she announced a critical partnership with Better Place, launching an electric vehicle infrastructure for Hawaii, placing us one step closer to our goal of energy independence. Tuesday evening the governor attended a meeting with Adm. Timothy Keating, commander of Pacific Command, in which community leaders - including the Honolulu mayor, state legislators and business leaders - were to discuss critical issues facing our state and the Pacific region.

The governor is cognizant of the importance of federal partnerships, which is why she has reached out to President-elect Obama to invite him to meet with her while he is in Hawaii later this month. Failing that, the nation's governors will gather with the new president at the annual Governor's Association meetings February in Washington, D.C. Gov. Lingle will attend this important three-hour meeting with the new president, as well as dinner at the White House.

Also, the governor has been in touch with fellow governors to review discussion points for follow-up to the brief get-together with the president-elect. Those who criticize Gov. Lingle's decision clearly don't understand that much of the actual work and coordination with the states will take place after the meeting concludes. The governors will unify, discuss and bring meaningful proposals to the new president in January.

Gov. Lingle has also been in telephone communication with Obama's transition team. Valerie Jarrett, co-chairwoman of the Obama team, was very understanding and supportive of the governor's travel constraints. Jarrett also confirmed her interest in meeting with Gov. Lingle at the end of this month while visiting our state. Jarrett, who will serve as Obama's intergovernmental affairs adviser in the White House, is a person with whom coordination from the state level is critical. Together, with Gov. Lingle, a meaningful dialogue has begun.

Hawaii's relationship with the Obama administration promises to be healthy and Star-Bulletin readers should know that Gov. Lingle looks forward to deepening those ties through fruitful meetings in the future.