Gov. David Ige was sworn in for his second term as governor today along with his new lieutenant governor Josh Green during a ceremony in the rotunda of the Hawaii State Capitol in which he emphasized common themes of his administration — cultivating the tech sector, improving the state’s public education system and encouraging sustainable food and energy production.”

Ige returned several times during his remarks to his theme of “moving forward together.”

“I know it sounds like a given—that we all work together,” said Ige. “But that is often easier said than done. Moreover, without that collaboration — as we’ve seen in our nation’s capital — it can easily lead to gridlock.”

Ige stressed the need to diversify Hawaii’s economy and move away from an over-reliance on the tourism industry, while predicting that the next great transformation of Hawaii’s economy will be enabled by technology.

“A little more than 50 years ago, Hawaii’s leaders were tasked with finding new economic resources to replace an exhausted farm-based economy. They determined that the visitor industry offered the greatest opportunity for growth, job creation and broad prosperity for everyone. And for more than a half century, it served and continues to serve us well,” said Ige. “Today, however, we find ourselves in a situation very similar to where we were more than half a century ago. Our challenge today is to find ways to make all of our existing industries sustainable.”

“At the same time, we need to nurture our means of economic growth — means that do not strain our resources, do not damage our environment, or lower our quality of life,” he continued. “I believe the next great economic transition for Hawaii will be driven by innovations enabled by technology.”

Ige said that Hawaii is already witnessing this transition, with technology not only creating new industries, but also breaking down the state’s geographic isolation.

“Our geographic isolation is no longer a deal-breaker,” said Ige.

Ige also emphasized the need to build more housing for local residents and transform the state’s public education system, but offered few specific proposals. He said he would reveal more details about upcoming policy ideas in his next State of the State address in January.

Ige has struggled with attracting support from legislative leaders, many of whom openly supported his Democratic primary opponent Colleen Hanabusa. Today, the governor stressed the need to work together for the good of the state.

“I am not asking for anyone’s blind support, but a willingness to keep an open mind, to leave personal agendas outside the door, and to commit to an unyielding determination to work together,” said Ige. “I am asking that we debate openly and, yes, passionately, but with respect for each other.”

Ige, in his most pointed remarks, took aim at President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies, many of which the Ige administration have actively opposed.

“There are some who talk about making America great again but who do not understand the source of its greatness: its broad and diverse peoples,” said Ige. “We are a nation of immigrants, and Hawaii is one of its brightest examples of what is possible when we work together — when we celebrate our differences and our common heritage. Our immigrant past offers a compelling lesson to those who believe that diversity weakens us as a nation.”

“The decisions and policies coming from our nation’s capital today threaten the very core of our values here in the islands. When did it become OK to tear gas men and women and children for wanting a better future for themselves,” Ige asked, referring to recent images of asylum-seekers from Central America being hit with tear gas along the U.S. southern border.

Green, a physician who served in the Legislature for 14 years prior to being elected lieutenant governor, emphasized that he would focus on homelessness, opioid addiction and mental health issues.

“In Hawaii, no child should ever be homeless. No one should ever face addiction alone. No family should have to choose between buying food or buying medicine for a sick child, or fear that a loved one can’t find the care they need for depression or any other mental health crisis,” said Green. “We will start free clinics across our state to help those suffering the most among us who will give them a hand up out of despair.”

The ceremony was attended by past governors, cabinet officials and members of the public and included performances by the Royal Hawaiian Band and the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus. Kaumakaiwa Kanakaoloe performed an oli and Danny Akaka Jr. delivered the invocation.

Ige and Green were sworn in by Hawaii Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald.

Read Gov. Ige’s remarks here:

Text from Hawaii Governor David Ige's Inauguration address on December 3, 2018 by Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Scribd