In 1988, she helped to start United Laundry Company to service hotels and hospitals, eventually becoming president and CEO.
First lady After marrying Ben Cayetano, she continued to operate the laundry company, but spent less time on it. Her daily schedule was distributed to her employees and she was available if needed. The evening hours were devoted to her family, giving individual time to her teenage children. In 1999, she participated in the Honolulu Habitat for Humanity's Women Build. She was named 1999 Woman of Distinction by Hawaii's Girl Scouts for her work in motivating young women. In 2001, she proposed turning
Washington Place into a museum telling the story of
Lili‘uokalani. Toward that end, she created the Washington Place Foundation to raise funds to build a new residence for the state's governor. The new residence, constructed directly behind Washington Place, was finished in time for the new governor
Linda Lingle.
Recent career After her tenure as first lady, Cayetano continued to oversee United Laundry Services. She was named Sales Person of the Year for 2011 by Sales & Marketing Executives International, Honolulu Chapter. In 2018, the 30th anniversary of United Laundry Services, Cayetano was honored with the
Pacific Business News "Women Who Mean Business" Career Achievement Award. The following year, the
University of Hawaii's School of Travel Industry Management presented Cayetano with the 2019 Legacy in Tourism Award. Cayetano also volunteers on the board of directors for the
Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. On August 13, 2022, Cayetano lost the primary to
Josh Green, 63%-21%. In 2023, the Hawaii State Campaign Spending Commission fined Cayetano $1,000, finding evidence of inappropriate coordination between her campaign and a
super PAC to launch negative ads against her opponent
Josh Green. == Personal life ==