Honolulu ? Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle on Thursday ordered the state’s top government leaders to take two unpaid days off each month in an effort to set an example for unionized public workers.

Lingle has been blocked by the courts from forcing furloughs on most state employees, but she is able to cut the hours and pay of 42 executive branch officials, including herself and her 17 Cabinet members.

“There is a strong sense among these leaders that this is a time for shared sacrifice,” Lingle said. “Whatever savings we were asking the employees of the state to take, we would take a similar sacrifice.”

The furloughs of nonunionized senior staff will save the state $1.2 million over the next two years.