Governor Josh Green Addresses Trust Issues Amid Sylvia Luke Investigation

Governor Josh Green has spoken publicly about the emotional and physical toll the state Attorney General’s investigation has taken on Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, confirming he intentionally excluded her from critical storm response meetings to protect her well-being and ensure effective governance.

In a Friday media availability, Green stated that Luke was “so affected emotionally and physically” by the ongoing probe that he had serious concerns about her health and ability to perform at the level required during a crisis. “It was really affecting her and that was a concern I had just as a governor,” Green told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “I was worried that she couldn’t be at her best. And you have to be at your best in this job. You have to be able to focus.”

The governor explained that due to the severity of the situation and the need for rapid decision-making during back-to-back-to-back storms beginning in March, he felt compelled to rely solely on his adjutant general rather than Luke or her team. “We couldn’t bring in the lieutenant governor or her team because this whole thing was hanging over them. Decisions have to gain made in the moment as the investigation seemed to be more and more serious. So I wasn’t able to really lean on her or her team, even though we’ve had a very good run for three years.”

Green also addressed the broader implications of the controversy, acknowledging that trust had been damaged within the administration. In an exclusive interview with Island News, he said, “Trust was damaged because this had been going on for a long time, and I didn’t have any information. So I’m just human, and that caused me to have some trust issues.” He emphasized that his role was not to judge Luke’s guilt or innocence but to maintain stability and public confidence in government operations.

The investigation intensified after Luke received a target letter from the Attorney General’s office, which her attorney confirmed indicated she was the subject of a bribery probe. Following this development, Luke announced she was stepping aside from her duties, prompting Green to appoint Keith Regan, comptroller of the state Department of Accounting and General Services, as acting lieutenant governor.

Green clarified that he had not been interviewed as part of the investigation and had deliberately kept it at arm’s length, stating, “I really don’t grasp any of the details of the Attorney General’s investigation.” He added that he had asked Attorney General Anne Lopez to notify him if Luke might face serious charges, noting that Lopez initially withheld details of the target letter until after media inquiries prompted disclosure.

The governor described a private, heart-to-heart conversation with Luke as a turning point, saying it helped clarify the gravity of the situation. “We had a serious heart-to-heart, just yesterday, I suppose. And that seems like a month ago, but that was hard.” He acknowledged being stunned by the turn of events but said he had anticipated further developments once the nature of the investigation became clearer.

As of Friday, April 25, 2026, Green confirmed he had not spoken with Luke since their Thursday morning meeting, reiterating that he lacks the authority to place an elected official on leave but supported her decision to step aside amid the ongoing scrutiny.

The situation continues to unfold as state officials balance the need for transparency, accountability, and continuity in leadership during a period of both natural disasters and political uncertainty.