Cayetano:
Election ‘probably the most
important’ since 1954

By Mary Adamski
Star-Bulletin

Gov. Ben Cayetano last night called for help from the longtime support of the Democratic Party: Americans of Japanese ancestry.

He told a crowd at the Hawaii Okinawa Center in Waipio: "We're going to need you guys from the 442nd one more time, you've got to rescue the Texas battalion again."

His reference to the World War II Japanese-American heroes followed the historical theme taken by other party leaders at the "rally for Democrats at heart."

About 500 people gathered at Waipio Industrial Park on land where sugarcane once grew to hear speakers recall the 1954 Democratic victory that put the sons of plantation workers into power in the Legislature.

"This is probably the most important election since 1954," said Cayetano. "We must make sure the Hawaii we deliver our children and grandchildren in the 21st Century is the Hawaii we know and love.

"It is important to preserve it xxx based on heritage and principles on which the Democratic party was founded, which have guided this state for 40 years to become one of great societies of the world."

Former Gov. George Ariyoshi joined Democratic Party Chairman Walter Heen, U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie and Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris in speeches which recalled the past and urged Democrats to call family and friends and knock on doors to get out the vote.

Cayetano told the crowd that "the momentum is beginning to pick up," citing large crowds at recent party rallies in Hilo, Maui and Maili.

He took minimal potshots at his Republican opponent, Linda Lingle, saying his four years were "free of cronyism and nepotism. My opponent can't say the same about Maui."

He said she had claimed conspiracy when the state and the federal Environmental Protection Agency acted to force Maui County to stop sewage spills into the ocean and canals. "The Sierra Club endorsed me because they know Maui has the worst sewer system in the state."

He criticized Honolulu newspapers for not reporting that he was also endorsed by the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, although the media reported endorsements Lingle has received.

"Mainland interests now control much of the communications infrastructure which we have here. They don't understand what this place is all about," he said.

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Cayetano and Lingle
both favor Con Con

The governor says it would not cut
civil rights or native Hawaiian gains

By Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin

The two major candidates for governor, Republican Maui Mayor Linda Lingle and Democratic Gov. Ben Cayetano, found something to agree on last night: They both want another Constitutional Convention held.

The last one was 20 years ago. The issue of whether to hold another convention in the next year is on the ballot Nov. 3.

Several groups, include native Hawaiian organizations and the state Civil Rights Commission are opposing a convention, saying it would offer the temptation to roll back civil rights gains in Hawaii.

But the two gubernatorial candidates, appearing together at the Hawaii Retired Officer Association dinner at the Hale Koa Hotel, said another Con Con had much to offer.

"I believe there has been a groundswell of opinion by the people that they want the opportunity to address some of the issues that can only be addressed at a Constitutional Convention," Cayetano told the audience of 180.

Lingle agreed, saying a convention would give people another chance to directly participate in running government.

"A lot of future leaders will come from it, and it is an opportunity for more people to become involved in the process," she said.

The League of Women Voters is also opposed to holding another Con Con because it would be too costly.

Cayetano, however, said the Con Con would not become a backdoor attack on either civil rights or native Hawaiian rights.

"I have every confidence that the people of this state will express the common sense and propriety in dealing with not only Hawaiian issues but others that effect minority and minority rights," he said.

A bipartisan state organization, led by Mayor Jeremy Harris, a Democrat, and former U.S. Rep. Pat Saiki, a Republican, is also urging that voters approve of a Constitutional Convention.