putation as a maverick, winning nominations, and elections through effective leadership, outstanding accomplishments, and an enormous ability to listen and give back to his constituents. In 1986, Cayetano switched course I his political strategy from his reputation as a maverick, and joined the team of mainstream Democrats, winning the nomination for Lieutenant Governor with John Waihee running for Governor. Both were elected and re-elected for a second term serving two consecutive terms until December 1993. As Lieutenant Governor, Benjamin Cayetano was appointed by Governor Waihee to run the Afterschool Plus (A+) Program - a program dealing with day care, homework enrichment, and recreation, and also the leasehold conversion and school report. In 1994, Benjamin Cayetano took a shot at running for Governor and won the election, making him the State of Hawaii's fifth Governor and the first Filipino ever to rise beyond state legislature and became the highest Filipino American in U.S. politics. He was re-elected to a second four-year term as governor on November 3, 1998, which he is currently serving until the year 2002.Benjamin Cayetano has received numerous awards, which have given him national and international recognition for his accomplishments as a public servant, including his leadership in the movement for educational reform. The following is a list of the most important awards that he has achieved:Edward A. Dickson Alumnus of the Year Award, UCLA, 1998. The award is UCLA's oldest and highest alumni tribute and has been bestowed annually since 1946. The award recognizes the Governor as "a distinguished son" of UCLA whose lifetime of achievement "has brought great honor and distinction to the University." The Governor received the award during a UCLA ceremony in Los Angeles on May 30, 1998. Honorary Degree, Doctor of Public Service, 1998. Loyola Marymount University bestowed this honor upon Governor Cayetano for his disti...
