Vicky Cayetano
defends land
purchase

An advertisement suggests
the governor expects to
lose re-election

By Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin

Gov. and Vicky Cayetano's purchase of 2.6 acres in Waialae Iki, one of Oahu's most exclusive neighborhoods, is the target of a new ad campaign heading into tomorrow's general election.

The Cayetanos paid $900,000 last month for the property at 1926 Okoa Place, formerly owned by the Tom Gentry Trust. It has a commanding view from Diamond Head to Koko Head.

Vicky Cayetano said the purchase was made with her own money.

The land is expensive, but it is a good deal. The city assessed the property at $1,205,200, and it is part of a four-lot parcel bought by Gentry in 1997 for $4,425,000, according to state records.

Cayetano, in the middle of a heated re-election campaign against GOP Maui Mayor Linda Lingle, declined to talk about the buy, saying it was private and personal. But his wife defended it.

"It is an investment for the future of my two children, and my husband supported it fully," she said.

A pro-business group dubbed the Hawaii Coalition of Small Business of Owners is running ads today criticizing the buy, saying in part: "Ben, your deeds speak louder than your words."

Republican state Sen. Sam Slom, who represents the East Honolulu area including Waialae Iki, issued a press release claiming the purchase indicated that Cayetano would be retiring soon.

"Mr. Cayetano has made prudent retirement plans for life after Nov. 3 when Linda Lingle will be elected Hawaii's first woman governor," Slom said.

In his release, Slom "scoffs" at those who hint Cayetano moving into the neighborhood might depress existing property values.

"His words," Vicky Cayetano said, "are truly thinly veiled racist remarks that you have heard in the past and even now on the mainland, when people, minorities, try to move into areas that they normally don't reside in."

In denying racism, Slom noted that his release said he is honored Cayetano chose to live in the area once he is no longer governor.

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General Election Guide online