Former Governor Cayetano coming to UH Manoa Bookstore

Will answer questions, sign autobiography on April 29

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Former Hawaiʻi Governor Ben Cayetano will be at the UH Mānoa Campus Bookstore on Wednesday, April 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a book-signing and question-and-answer session.

The event, sponsored by the bookstore and the Center for Biographical Research, spotlights Cayetano‘s new release, "Ben: A Memoir, From Street Kid to Governor" (Watermark Publishing). "I‘m really looking forward to my appearance at UH Mānoa," said Governor Cayetano. "I trust the students, faculty and staff may have some interesting questions for me."

The autobiography of the nation‘s first Filipino-American governor recounts a political career that spans a seminal period in Hawaiʻi‘s history. The 560-page book has sold out in bookstores throughout the islands, because it provides a rare look at the inner workings of island society and government. It tackles ethnic voting to the Hawaiian sovereignty movement, from the Bishop Estate controversy to the backroom maneuvering of politicians and business leaders.

Born and raised in the blue-collar neighborhood of Kalihi, Ben Cayetano worked his way through UCLA and Loyola Law School. His public service included four terms in the state Legislature, two in the House and two in the Senate, before being elected lieutenant governor under Governor John Waihee.

Cayetano‘s 28 consecutive years in public office culminated from 1995 to 2002, when he served as Hawaiʻi‘s governor.