Posted on: Friday, January 25, 2002

Cayetano not short on style

By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Staff Writer

Gov. Ben Cayetano's State of the State address may have been short on economic initiatives, but it was certainly long on style.

Cayetano style, that is.

It's not like he's ever been soft-spoken or fawning, and we always knew he had it in him. But he seemed to be at some sort of personal best in his 50 minutes at the podium, alternately tossing out zingers and getting misty with reflection.

I, for one, can appreciate a man who spent years of speechmaking and meeting dignitaries from around the country and around the world and still says "shtronger," "shtreamlined," "health kea" and "fewcha." Those words had extra power when he pronounced them the way us guys would pronounce them while arguing our point at the kitchen table.

In praising his cabinet members, he underlined each introduction by saying, "He did a helluva job" — Cayetano-speak for highest praise. Except for Susan Chandler. For her, he added, "She did one heck of a job" — which, I guess, is Cayetano-speak for highest praise for a woman.

Cayetano recognized his Chief of Staff Sam Callejo and former Chief of Staff Charles Toguchi by saying, "I golf with dese guys every week and dey usually take my money," like it was a testament to the depth of their friendship.

Cayetano deviated often from the official transcript of the speech, throwing out one-liners like a trainer at Sea World tossing fish to the dolphins. Several big names got whacked on the head with a smelt.

"A few months ago," Cayetano said, "President Dobelle told you he would build the new UH-West O'ahu in 18 months. Why not give him a chance to do it? He's done it in other places — I know he will do it here."

And then he added, "And if he can't do it, fire him." Of course, Cayetano chuckled after saying that, but still, Whap!

In mentioning the California Chamber of Commerce, Cayetano called it, "just about as fiscally conservative a group as one could find anywhere" then paused for effect and added slyly, "imagine a whole room full of Sam Sloms!" Whap!

In his summary, Cayetano said, "This is my 28th year in public office. It will be my last — I learned from Frank Fasi you should never come back." Wa-pack!

He even tossed one out about his alma mater, saying he nearly flunked out, and then quipping, "Can you imagine flunking out of Farrington?!"

But it wasn't all punch lines and asides. Cayetano's reminder to lawmakers to put service before self was heartfelt. His challenge to the Legislature to "Do your job to make Hawai'i better — even if it means you may lose your job" had particular weight coming from a man who has, for better or worse, never paid much attention to public appearances and popular positions.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honolulu

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