BY RET. GENERAL ROBERT LEE – I’m sure many of you were tuned in to the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday evening. It’s always a popular awards show, but here at home in Hawaii, it became even moreso with the movie “The Descendants” nominated for so many categories.
The movie, which picked up two Golden Globes for Best Picture and Best Actor, is based on the novel by local girl, Kaui Hart Hemmings, whose father, Sen. Fred Hemmings is one proud father, I can assure you.
I also know that Gov. Linda Lingle has been following the development and success of this movie closely. She is a movie buff and fan of good filmmaking, but she is also attuned to this particular film because of the role she and her administration played in this movie being produced here in Hawaii.
She shared with me how much she thought of Director Alexander Payne and Producer Jim Burke, and what a great experience it was to meet with them prior to filming to help facilitate it here in Hawaii and to ensure Hawaii was presented in an appropriate light.
The movie industry has brought a lot of jobs, is creating a positive impact on Hawaii’s economy and was a key focus of Gov. Lingle’s Administration (in addition to “The Descendents,” the Lingle Administration helped secure the filming of many other blockbuster films and television shows in our islands).
I thought it was touching that at the end of Alexander Payne’s speech Sunday night, he took a moment to thank the people of Hawaii.
If you haven’t yet, go see the movie. Governor and I both think it’s excellent and deserves congratulations for its recognition at the Golden Globes.
Major General Robert Lee, U.S. Army (Ret.) is the Campaign Manager, Linda Lingle Senate Committee