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Cayetano trip tied to
local aquarium project

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By Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin

Gov. Ben Cayetano is expected to return today after taking a business trip to the Bahamas to look at the world's biggest saltwater aquarium.

Previously, the Governor's office had declined to say where Cayetano was, but yesterday explained that he was on state business in the Bahamas.

He missed by one day, one of the most lavish parties in Bahamas history, as Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Jose Feliciano and Gloria Estefan celebrated the re-opening of the Paradise Island Resort.

The Paradise Island party was held on Saturday, the same day Cayetano left Hawaii. He went to look at the aquarium project and talk to the prime minister about telemedicine, according to Jackie Kido, Cayetano communications director.

"He went to talk to them about the concept and how it is panning out," she said.

Cayetano is urging the state to develop a world-class aquarium project on state land at Kakaako.

"It is always important to examine what others are doing," Kido said.

Cayetano went at state expense, according to Kido and traveled with two private businessmen, she said.

"I can't say who he went with because they have a right of privacy," she said.

The facility on Paradise Island in the Bahamas is the commonwealth's largest employer and features the aquarium, a lavish casino, hotel and spa, and a golf course.

Besides the performers, celebrities attending the re-opening included Ray Liotta, Michael Jordan, Star Jones, Cicely Tyson, Lee Iacocca and Beverly Johnson.

The party extended over the weekend, according to a resort spokeswoman.

The new golf course attracted Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Gary Player, who competed alongside their sons in a celebrity match.

Kido said she didn't know if Cayetano attended any of the festivities.