Ige Appoints Kim to Be Special Adviser to the Governor
The governor had picked her to head the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations but had to withdraw the nomination due to residency restrictions.
Hawaii Gov. David Ige has found a new home for Elizabeth Kim.
He wanted her to head the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, but had to withdraw the nomination last week after realizing she was ineligible due to residency restrictions.
Gov. David Ige has appointed Elizabeth Kim to be special adviser to the governor. Shawn T Moore/Office of the Governor
The Constitution requires any governor-appointed department heads to live in the state for at least a year immediately preceding the appointment. Kim had been working in Washington, D.C., after President Obama appointed her to serve as director of the Office of the Executive Secretariat, an agency that falls under the U.S. Department of Labor.
Ige announced Monday morning during his State of the State address that he has appointed Kim as special adviser to the governor.
鈥淓lizabeth鈥檚 impressive experience in Washington, D.C., will help the state tremendously in securing more federal dollars,鈥 Ige said.
“We all know Elizabeth鈥檚 story: a bright and talented person from Hawaii who wants to come home, but can鈥檛 find the opportunity to do so.聽I am committed to creating more opportunities, not just for Elizabeth, but for all of our children聽to return home to fulfill their dreams and contribute to Hawaii.”
In his address, Ige聽said federal officials have told him there is roughly $940 million in federal money available to the state 鈥渇or the projects, proposed for the right reasons and at the right time.鈥
