Cayetano gets apology over negative ad campaign

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HONOLULU — A consortium of carpenters and contractors is agreeing to apologize to former Gov. Ben Cayetano.

HONOLULU — A consortium of carpenters and contractors is agreeing to apologize to former Gov. Ben Cayetano.

The apology for negative advertising during Cayetano’s unsuccessful campaign for Honolulu mayor in 2012 settles a defamation lawsuit he filed against Pacific Resource Partnership.

The message will be published Sunday in an ad in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

The newspaper reports it’s not clear how the lawsuit and settlement will affect political speech in Hawaii. Cayetano says it may make people more cautious.

Cayetano says the Pacific Resource Partnership ad campaign that focused on his campaign contributions made him appear corrupt.

Pacific Resource Partnership Executive Director John White confirms the settlement but declined to comment on it.