AS President-elect Barack Obama works with congressional leaders to put together a plan that combines economic stimulus and new green-energy development, Gov. Linda Lingle should hope Hawaii's representatives make known the state's potentials and needs since she missed an important opportunity to do so herself this week.

If Obama accepts Lingle's invitation to give her some attention later this month, when he will be here for a private memorial service for his late grandmother, the governor should be ready to present specific ideas about how Hawaii's renewable energy goals and infrastructure projects could dovetail into a national agenda.

Lingle's decision not to attend a National Governors Association meeting with Obama Tuesday has met with considerable criticism, not just from the usual political ranks but also from members of the public. The absence of the leader of the president-elect's native state didn't go unnoticed in national media reports, either, with one major newspaper noting that the only other missing person was New Mexico's Bill Richardson, who was poised to be named secretary of commerce.

Lingle, through an aide, said her decision “;was not a political one, but a practical one,”; because flying to Philadelphia would have required a three-day leave for a mere 85-minute session.

In practical terms, showing up would have declared Hawaii's interest in being involved in new initiatives that could greatly benefit the state. In addition, Lingle's presence would have showed that she could put her personal political preferences aside as Obama has done since the election.

The governor, instead, displayed poor judgment. Her calendar, mostly crowded with “;internal meetings”; and radio programs, could have been adjusted and, as she asserted when she was away campaigning for the McCain-Palin ticket, communications technology would have kept her in touch.

Lingle's tone-deafness to the local community, widely supportive of Obama, might have damaged her political future. Her concern about the state's slumping economy should have been a reason, not a deterrence, to attend the meeting.