Mayoral candidate Ben Cayetano has a bone to pick with the Honolulu Fire Department and the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association.

Inside Honolulu reports:

The former governor said in a press release that the department has banned certain retired firefighters from “stepping foot” in any of the stations or other facilities, even to pick up their mail or hold meetings

His claim is that the reason for this is due to his May 14 endorsement from the Honolulu Fire Department Retirees Association.

According to Cayetano’s release, Honolulu Fire Chief Kenneth Silva outlined this new policy in a letter to the association’s president, Donald Chang. Cayetano is planning to hold a press conference later this morning to respond.

Here’s a quote pulled from Cayetano’s press conference announcement:

“The HFD’s retaliation against the retirees is mind boggling,” former Governor Ben Cayetano said. “Retired firefighters like former Chief Donald Chang built the Honolulu Fire Department into one of the finest in the nation. My grandson is a firefighter and I am proud of him and all of the rank and file firefighters — but I find it sad and disrespectful that the current leaders of the HFFA have retaliated against the retirees simply because they endorsed me. This is like throwing one’s parents out of their own house.”

The Hawaii Fire Fighters Association has endorsed former managing director Kirk Caldwell in the race for mayor.

Check out Civil Beat’s list of 2012 election endorsements here.

—Nick Grube