Union workers will take note: Young hinted the state could restore the 5% pay cuts that government unions took in the last round of contract talks.

Young said  he was most wary about the impact that the end of Bush era exemptions could have on discretionary income that  in turn would affect Hawaii's economic drivers like tourism.

As for military spending, the governor seemed pretty confident that any cuts to the defense budget will not have a drastic effect on the Pacific Command.

"I expect whatever takes place in terms of defense budget cuts will be less likely to zero in on Hawaii and the Pacific region,” said Abercrombie.

The governor believes the cuts will come in the procurement of big military platforms for things like weapons systems.