In a sun-washed ceremony, Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz were sworn into office today on the grounds of Iolani Palace.
“All I can bring today is my heart, which is full,” Abercrombie said with a quaver in his voice during his inaugural address. “Never did it occur to me when I arrived in paradise some 51 years ago that I would stand here today.”
He said his first job as governor is to “accelerate the economic recovery.”
His administration’s “driving message” will be, “make it happen by working together,” the governor said.
He opened his remarks by noting that he attended a memorial ceremony yesterday for his mother, Vera June Abercrombie, who did Saturday in Florida. She was 96.
“Our family from across the country was able to gather at my mother’s beloved Hilton Lagoon,” said Abercrombie.
“She wanted to be laid to rest finally here in Hawaii Nei,” Abercrombie said.
The inauguration proceedings began at 9:45 and included a variety of musical performances, with the national anthem sung by performer Willie K.
It was wonderful to see the American flag and the Pledge of Allegiance on the grounds of Iolani Palace where Annexation took place in 1898 and the transition to Statehood was celebrated in 1959; and to hear Willie K. singing the Star Spangled Banner there along with another song honoring our troops. Maika’i loa!
[…] In a sun-washed ceremony, Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz were sworn into office today on the grounds of Iolani Palace. Hawaii Reporter. […]
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