Cayetano gifts
nearly $27,000

Most of that amount went for trips
to three countries and five states

By Mike Yuen
Star-Bulletin

Gov. Ben Cayetano accepted nearly $27,000 from foreign governments, the U.S. government, a Japanese corporation, AT&T and the Harvard University Foundation during the 12-month period that ended June 1.

The funds were used mainly for trips to China, Taiwan and the Philippines to promote trade and to travel to five states, including California, Louisiana and Florida, to study world-class aquariums and waterfront developments to help Hawaii develop similar projects.

Of the $26,890 that Cayetano accepted, $4,500 came from AT&T to attend an AT&T-sponsored high technology conference in Atlanta that also allowed him to attend last year's summer Olympics.

The financial information was in public disclosure statements that Cayetano filed yesterday with the state Ethics Commission.

The public documents also revealed that:

First lady Vicky Cayetano, the president and chief executive officer of United Laundry Services Inc., earns significantly more than Gov. Ben Cayetano's $94,780 annual salary. Vicky Cayetano, required only to give the salary's range, reported earning $150,000 to $249,999.99.

At the Cayetanos' two wedding receptions at Washington Place on May 31, 16 guests brought gifts totaling $5,050 even though the 2,000-plus guests were asked not to bring presents.

The most expensive gift came from Akio Morita, the co-founder of Sony Corp., who, with his wife, gave the Cayetanos a digital disc player valued at $1,000.

Lawrence Johnson, chairman and chief executive officer of Bank of Hawaii, gave the first couple a crystal vase worth $400. Former Gov. John Waihee's gift was a koa music box valued at $200.

Cayetano has insisted that he sees nothing wrong with third parties picking up his tab for out-of-state trips that are intended to benefit the state.

The practice saves taxpayers' money, Cayetano has repeatedly asserted.

In May, the Philippine government provided Cayetano with $5,000 worth of food and lodging during his nearly two-week stay in Manila for a Pacific Basin Economic Council conference.

Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris, whom many believe is positioning himself to challenge Cayetano as either a Democrat or an independent, doesn't have to file his gift disclosure report until July 30, said City Clerk Genny Wong.

In Harris' most recent financial interests disclosure report, he declared income from his $100,000 mayor's annual salary, and rental income between $10,000 and $24,999.

Aides to Maui Mayor Linda Crockett Lingle, who also is eyeing the governor's job, said her income comes from her mayoral salary, $87,098; interest and dividends, less than $5,000; and rental income, less than $10,000.