Ben Cayetano facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ben Cayetano
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Cayetano in 2019
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| 5th Governor of Hawaii | |
| In office December 2, 1994 – December 2, 2002 |
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| Lieutenant | Mazie Hirono |
| Preceded by | John Waiheʻe |
| Succeeded by | Linda Lingle |
| 9th Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii | |
| In office December 2, 1986 – December 2, 1994 |
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| Governor | John Waiheʻe |
| Preceded by | John Waiheʻe |
| Succeeded by | Mazie Hirono |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Benjamin Jerome Cayetano
November 14, 1939 Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
Lorraine Gueco
(m. 1959; div. 1996)Vicky Tiu Liu
(m. 1997) |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Los Angeles Harbor College University of California, Los Angeles (BA) Loyola Marymount University (JD) |
| Signature |  |
Benjamin Jerome Cayetano (born November 14, 1939) is an American politician and author. He was the fifth governor of the State of Hawaii. He served from 1994 to 2002. He is the first Filipino American to be a state governor in the United States.
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Growing Up in Hawaii
Ben Cayetano was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on November 14, 1939. When he was young, he was raised by his father. They lived in Kalihi, a neighborhood in Honolulu with many Filipino families. Ben was often a "latchkey child," meaning he let himself into his home after school because his parents were working.
He went to Wallace Rider Farrington High School in Kalihi. This school was known as "Home of the Governors" because many leaders went there. Ben didn't get good grades in high school. He often got into trouble with his teachers. He just barely passed enough classes to graduate.
After high school, Ben married his girlfriend, Lorraine Gueco. They had a son named Brandon in 1959. Ben worked many different jobs to support his family. He worked in a junkyard, as a truck driver, and as an apprentice electrician. He also worked as a draftsman. He felt that some hiring decisions were unfair. Because of this, he and his family moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1963. He wanted to study law there.
Education and Early Career
In California, Ben Cayetano went to Los Angeles Harbor College. In 1966, he transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He graduated from UCLA in 1968 with a degree in political science. He also studied American history. In 1971, he earned his law degree from Loyola Law School. This school is part of Loyola Marymount University.
After finishing his education, Ben returned to Hawaii. In 1972, Governor John A. Burns appointed him to the Hawaii Housing Authority. This group helps with housing in the state. In 1974, he was elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives. He represented Pearl City as a Democrat.
Serving as Lieutenant Governor
In 1986, Ben Cayetano joined John D. Waihe'e III's team for governor. They won the election, and Ben became the lieutenant governor of Hawaii. He was the first Filipino American to hold this position in the United States. The Waihee–Cayetano team was elected again in 1990.
As lieutenant governor, Ben Cayetano created the A+ Program. This program provides after-school care for children. It is funded by the state and has programs at every public elementary school in Hawaii.
Governor of Hawaii
After two terms, Governor Waihe'e could not run again due to term limits. The Democratic Party chose Ben Cayetano to run for Governor in 1994. His running mate was attorney Mazie Hirono. They won the election, and Ben became the Governor of Hawaii.
In 1998, he ran for a second term. Linda Lingle, who was the Mayor of Maui, ran against him. She was from the Hawaii Republican Party. Polls showed Ben was behind, but he won the election. It was the closest election in Hawaii's history. He won by just one percentage point after a recount.
During his time as governor, Hawaii faced economic challenges. There wasn't enough tax money coming in, which led to budget problems. Governor Cayetano often disagreed with other Democrats in the state legislature. He tried to cut the state budget to balance it.
For education, his administration built thirteen new schools. He also convinced the teachers' union to add seven days to the school year. The University of Hawaiʻi system also gained more control over its own matters.
Ben Cayetano left office in December 2002. Linda Lingle, his former opponent, became the next governor.
Running for Mayor
On January 19, 2012, Ben Cayetano decided to run for Mayor of Honolulu. He wanted to bring more openness to local government. His main goal was to stop the Honolulu Rail Transit Project. This project planned to build a 20-mile elevated train system.
In the primary election on August 11, 2012, he received the most votes. However, he didn't get enough votes to win outright. He then faced Kirk Caldwell in the general election on November 6. Ben Cayetano lost the mayoral election to Kirk Caldwell. Many people saw this vote as a decision about the rail project.
He continued to oppose the rail project. In 2017, he asked the Federal Transit Authority to stop funding it. He also asked President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to hold back $800 million for the project. This request was made in an ad paid for by the Abigail Kapiolani Kawānanakoa Foundation.
Family Life
Ben Cayetano and his first wife, Lorraine Cayetano, divorced in 1996. They had been married for 37 years. He was the first governor of Hawaii to divorce while in office.
He married his second wife, Vicky Cayetano, on May 5, 1997. At the time, Vicky was the president of United Laundry Services. She also had a small role in the musical film It Happened at the World's Fair with Elvis Presley.
Ben Cayetano has five children. He has three children from his first marriage: Brandon, Janeen, and Samantha. Vicky Cayetano also has two children, Marissa and William, from a previous marriage.
In 1999, he appeared as himself in an episode of Baywatch Hawaii.
See also
