Former Hawaii Governor Ben Cayetano will formerly announce his intentions to run for mayor of Hawaii today at a news conference in Iwilei. His main reason for running? Cayetano says he is running because he opposes plans for the $5.27 billion, 20-mile Honolulu rail project.
Cayetano will attempt to unseat incumbent Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle, who is a strong supporter of the rail project. Cayetano’s entry into the race would set up a three-way contest between Cayetano, Carlisle and former city Managing Director Kirk Caldwell, who also supports rail.
Cayetano, a Democrat, is a lawyer and the first Filipino-American ever elected governor. He served as governor from 1994 to 2002. He was actually a very popular Governor and still hold some clout with the citizens of Hawaii.
However, wanting to run for mayor simply for this reason alone may not get him elected. This seems like more of a personal vendetta than anything else. While the rail has faced its share of problems in Hawaii. It is the most ideal way for Hawaii to expand its transportation system.
We will see what happens, but a personal vendetta is not a good reason to run for mayor in Hawaii.
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