The Liberal Party received a letter from the former Prime Minister and Current Ambassador to Portugal stating that he must regretfully decline the invitation to lead the Liberal Party in the next election, He had several projects that he wanted to complete in
Portugal. He knew that his mother was not quite ready to return to Hawaii. He had also had talks with the Secretary of State about possibly taking a new post in Europe either as the Ambassador to France or Italy. He had been enjoying his work in the foreign service. He told his wife that he enjoyed serving as Ambassador and having served as Secretary of State more than he had as Prime Minister, He agreed that after the election to taking the post of Ambassador to the Kingdom of Italy but would want to leave the post in 4 years and return to Hawaii as his children would be completing High School or starting college. He would be happy to accept an administrative post in the State Department or would seek a teaching post at either the Royal College of Hawaii or the University of Hawaii.