Honolulu mayoral candidate Ben Cayetano jabbed back Tuesday against another attack on his record as governor from 1994 to 2002.

Pacific Resource Partnership formed a new political action committee that has launched a website and advertising campaign to highlight $500,000 in illegal campaign contributions and millions of dollars in no-bid contracts that were awarded during that time.

It’s old news, but it comes with a renewed fervor. Civil Beat reported on this issue back in May and also earlier this month in a piece about polling.

Cayetano held a press conference at his Ward Center campaign office to respond to the new attacks, which he said top any he’s faced in his entire political career.

Visibly frustrated by having to defend himself again against the same charges, he called the people behind the attack ads “liars.” 

“It shows you how desperate they are,” Cayetano said of the PAC and website, called Read Ben’s Record.

He reiterated that he wasn’t the only person caught up in the illegal campaign contribution scheme and that those responsible for it were held accountable. He said he does not have a moral obligation to pay back the money, which has already been spent.

John White, PRP executive director, said Cayetano is using a “loophole” to avoid paying back the money and voters should review the records about false donors. PRP issued this statement Tuesday morning.

The first TV spot launched by the new PAC can be viewed here:

— Nathan Eagle