Gov. Neil Abercrombie is taking a short break from his duties to have minor shoulder surgery.

His office says the governor will undergo surgery today. Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz will fill in for him as acting governor.

The next event on the governor’s schedule is Friday evening when he’ll attend a National Guard birthday celebration in Waikiki. 

On Tuesday, Abercrombie held a press conference to discuss ways the state will respond to potential federal spending cuts from the so-called “fiscal cliff.”

Federal tax hikes and spending cuts will kick in on Jan. 1 unless Democrats and Republicans in Washington are able to craft a deal to avoid them.