Former Congressman Neil Abercrombie is Hawaii’s next governor, and the transition starts today. Abercrombie’s team isn’t wasting any time, and neither are we. Civil Beat is reporting from the inside.

Updated 4:49 p.m.

A New Day in Hawaii

During the campaign, Abercrombie titled his gubernatorial vision “A New Day in Hawaii.”¹

As the afternoon of Abercrombie’s first day as governor-elect wore on, the campaign wanted some quiet time. The team needs time to regroup, and to figure out what’s next. Tomorrow’s a new day, too.

Hello, Mr. Governor!

The folks at Abercrombie headquarters light up when the governor-elect walks in. He’s greeted by a chorus of “Mr. Governor!” in a roomful of smiles. Abercrombie is smiling, too, and dressed in business casual. Even Abercrombie’s dog, Kanoa, looks happy. The governor-elect surveys the room, and remarks in passing that it looks about the same as it did yesterday: Leftover chili is out for anyone who’s hungry, and volunteers chat and share candy.

Abercrombie leaves the room almost immediately for a bunch of meetings.

New Gigs

It seems to be a foregone conclusion at Abercrombie headquarters that Russell Kokubun will take over as Hawaii’s Senate President now that Colleen Hanabusa is heading to D.C. as the newly elected District 1 Congressional representative. That’s based on a conversation between Abercrombie staffers in the front administrative office.

Abercrombie spokeswoman Laurie Au confirmed the governor-elect today plans to touch base with Hawaii Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. During his campaign, Abercrombie had stated his intention to invite Matayoshi onto his cabinet as a symbol of unity. Au said the administration will have more details about its next transitional steps tomorrow.

Day One

Still no plans for the governor-elect to make any public appearances today, according to campaign spokeswoman Au. Although Abercrombie did keep his promise to appear on PBS early this morning — an agreement he made before he was elected. Abercrombie spent the late morning with his mother-in-law, and then had meetings to begin forming his Cabinet.

The governor-elect is also making a call for “any and all” applicants, Au said. It’s similar to the strategy the Obama administration used after President Barack Obama’s 2008 victory. Everyone interested in working for the administration is asked to submit a resumé, even those who already work for Abercrombie.

Campaign cleaning spree

Members of “Team Abercrombie” are trying to figure out to do with all the leftover campaign materials — glossy pamphlets, campaign signs and the like — and they’re prepping stacks of recyclables for disposal tomorrow afternoon.

A campaign staffer also put out a call to H-Power to see if the items that can’t be recycled can be burned. Staffers are saving rubber bands and plastic bags for re-use.

“I’ll take them home for trash!” one woman said.

“Someone paid good money for these,” another reminded, holding up a couple of rubber bands.

They’re also saving about a dozen of each campaign item for Abercrombie’s archives. The group is still getting used to the reality of their candidate’s successful campaign.

“Answering the phone this morning, I kept saying ‘Abercrombie for governor?’ ‘Abercrombie for governor?’ And I had to keep reminding myself to say ‘Abercrombie headquarters,’ instead.”

Party’s over

The phones are ringing regularly at Abercrombie headquarters with many calls of calls of congratulations, and some questions about the transition. The mood is happy and relaxed, but it’s also clear the party is over.

Campaign workers are wheeling out extra tables, and staffers are busy at phones and laptops. Slowly but surely, the space at Neil Abercrombie‘s Ward Warehouse headquarters is being transformed from a blow-out party into a serious workspace.

Well, maybe not too serious. The sense of playfulness at Abercrombie’s headquarters is securely intact. There’s still the postcard portrait of Newt Gingrich over the lightswitch in the ladies room — the former House speaker’s nose is the switch — and the walls are decked with colorful photographs and murals. Someone carries in a flat-screen TV, explaining, “Karaoke night tomorrow! I’m serious!”

Another, bigger, flat-screen is soon set up nearby. The karaoke event will be for campaign volunteers, and is planned to cap off a final round of sign-waving set for tomorrow: This time, the signs will say “Mahalo.”

Looking For a Job?

Job tip! Neil Abercrombie‘s web team is revamping the governor-elect’s campaign website. Starting tomorrow, job hunters will be able to submit resumés to Abercrombie via the site.

10:44 a.m.
The governor-elect’s “New Day in Hawaii” is awash with rain, a blessing in Hawaii. The gray skies overhead make his den-like headquarters at Ward Warehouse even cozier. Though a handful of campaign workers are here, Abercrombie isn’t — he’s meeting with a staffer, a campaign worker says — but he is working today. It will be a “day of thank yous” with some important meetings this afternoon. If Abercrombie plans to again address the public today, he hasn’t yet scheduled a time to do so.

People to Watch

Campaign Manager Bill Kaneko is in charge of the transition.

Here are other likely people to watch out for:

Laurie Au, campaign communications director

Jim McCoy, campaign political liaison

Amy Asselbaye, former chief of staff in D.C.

Dave Helfert, communications director in D.C.

Randy Obata, former press secretary in Honolulu

Lloyd Nekoba, longtime aide

Charlie Toguchi, longtime friend, now a lobbyist but helped the campaign

Andrew Aoki, deputy campaign manager

Josh Levinson, campaign field organizer