Gov. Neil Abercrombie is leaving for Washington, D.C., tonight to attend the 2012 National Governors Association Winter Meeting.

Abercrombie will arrive in Washington a day early for a meeting with U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan to discuss Hawaii’s Race to the Top goals.

Hawaii’s four-year $75 million grant has been deemed “at risk” due to concerns about the state’s ability to meet its public school reform commitments.

The governors’ meeting will include sessions on growing state economies. 

On Sunday night, the governors will join the President and First Lady for dinner at the White House. They will return to the White House Monday for meetings with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and their wives.