Recently, State Senator Rod Tam, whose senatorial district overlaps my House district was quoted as saying, "Every elected official will look after their own. That's how we get elected to office." He is further credited with being proud of helping direct educational funding to his district, even at the expense of other areas of the State. In a final ironic twist, he offers to help other legislators learn the secrets of "working the system" - a sort of political education, if you will, that uses tricks such as claiming the presence of health and safety concern to obtain funding.

Let me be clear. I do not share or agree with Senator Tam's beliefs and will not be taking him up on his offer to attend his next class on Political Science 101, entitled: "I've got mine - too bad for the rest of you."

Frankly, I am appalled at Senator Tam's statements and saddened at the effect they may have on the lives of all our children in Hawaii public schools.

First, I differ with Senator Tam on the definition of "our own." In all areas, but especially in the arena of education, we need to move beyond selfish rationales and realize that "our own" are all the children of Hawaii, not just those children of voting adults within our small political districts. To base educational decisions, especially those affecting funding, on the narrow and self-focused goal of getting re-elected, is morally and ethically wrong. This wrong becomes tragic when its primary impact is on "our " children statewide.

Second, I do not agree with Senator Tam that looking out for our own narrow, selfish desires is what gets us elected. What he fails to realize is that many of the constituents of his district have grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives who live in other districts and neighborhoods throughout our State. These constituents have a vested interest in education that expands beyond single political districts. These constituents want and need leaders who have a much broader vision and capacity for caring than is reflected in Senator Tam's words.

Third, while I am grateful for the educational funding that has been appropriated for schools in my district that also happens to be in Senator Tam's senatorial district, I will withhold unconditional pride in the attainment of these funds until I am convinced that they were not at the expense of more needy schools anywhere else in our State. Yes, we all want the best for the communities that we live in, but until we have a vision for the larger community we call Hawaii, we will all be reduced to acting according to the short-ranged thinking that cannot see past the current generation or the next election.

Finally, I worry about the message that Senator Tam's unapologetic and self-centered statements sent to Hawaii's current students - his, mine, ours. Do we want a society that is marked by an emphasis on parochial interest at the expense of other neighborhoods and neighbors? Do we want our children to "work the system" in order to further selfish desires, at the expense of community, vision, and empathy?

Or do we give Senator Tam the only grade his alleged education in politics merits - an F?

No surprise that the Kamehameha Schools is experiencing problems with (mis) management attributed to trustees, with focus on Lokelani Lindsey.

The beneficiaries of Bernice Pauahi Bishop's will are being exploited in the same way all the people of Hawaii are. Four of the five Trustees are political cronies of the self serving Democrat machine that dominates all three branches of State government. Don't think for a minute that the supreme court justices forget who appoints them when selecting trustees. The compensation for Trustees has been in the vicinity of $850,000...a year. Talk about greed, this all from a charitable trust. Beneficiaries know Kamehameha Schools could be doing much more for the Hawaiians they are suppose to serve, but just like State government the Trustees are more concerned with doing what is politically correct rather than what is honorable. The media should really do in depth investigations exploring ties with Trustees, former Governor John Waihee, DC Democrats, Clinton, Goldman Sachs and Robert Ruben, treasury secretary etc. The ruling political elite tell us to invest in Hawaii, while Bishop Estate invests $500 million in Goldman Sachs. By the way what ever happened to Henry Peters golf course deal? Do Kamehameha grads get a membership? Hawaii's problems ARE political and has a label, look for the "D." Auwe. Come on Hawaiians, you are being "had" by an absolutely powerful political Democrat machine. Right, OHA? What is happening to Kamehameha schools bears evidence to what is said about absolute power.

O.K., We're all struggling, minding our own businesses in an effort to survive today's economy and Hawaii's business climate. No easy task. All of a sudden a very attractive person waltzes in and asks you to be one of her/his sponsors in an upcoming pageant, contest or race. You know you have no time and/or extra money. So you ask, "What does being a sponsor entail?" The contestant will explain how you would provide them with free goods or services in order to help them be the very best that they can be. After all, this person didn't enter this event to lose. And, they need your help to win. You then might ask, "And, what do I get out of this?" The answer will probably be, "me." "And, what exactly am I going to do with you?" "You must be kidding. After I win, everybody'll be dying to get me to sell their products and I'll be busy selling yours. I'll do photos and promotional appearances and when I'm interviewed I'll tell everyone that I owe it all to you." Oh, and lets not forget the tact that the owners of the pageant, contest or race, will give you a free ad in their book plus you'll be an honored guest at the main event.

It doesn't matter whether the event is a body building contest or a beauty pageant, the contestant will always have cocker spaniel eyes and look at you pleadingly with them. You being the softy that you are want to say, "yes." However, being the business person you are, you must weigh the facts. The facts are, you need some exposure and, long shot or not, this may be the way to get it. After all, how much could this possibly cost you? You have the merchandise and it's not working for you sitting on your shelf or hanging on your rack. Or, you service many people a day, what's one more? Either way, it may pay off AND you get the opportunity of feeling that you've contributed to the community. So, you agree.

MISTAKE! BIG MISTAKE! HUGE MISTAKE!

There are dozens of reasons why certain people win certain events. Not all of them have to do with the criteria announced for the event. The chances of your contestant winning are as vast as the number of contestants entered. One in how many? The good news would be that your contestant lost. There is then a good, logical reason why they can't or won't fulfill their many promises to you and you can live with all of them. After all, you took a chance and it didn't pay off. You've done it before and you'll do it again. That's life. So what?

Believe it or not the bad news would be that your contestant won. You'll be elated upon hearing the news. Your mind will be reeling from all the plans. What to do first? Get a professional photographer or will your nephew suffice? Call a press conference or get on Granny's KGMB-TV A.M. Show? You just know that the world's going to hear about you and you'll have to contain the crowds that'll be mobbing your facility. The one major fact that'll elude you is that your winning contestant will be making plans too and those plans will not include you. What you must remember is the person who made all of those promises to you is not the same person who'll now be breaking them. After all, they're now stars and belong to the world. The only way you'll be mentioned by them during their interviews is when they thank the little people (and they know who they are) who helped them along the way. Guess what? You're part of that group known as the "little people."

Remember, you can live with the fact that you'll never see a losing contestant again. How do you handle it when you'll never see your winner in person again? Oh, you'll see them on TV. You'll see them in magazines. However, a face to face meeting - let alone a thank you? Forget it. It'll never happen.

Brook Lee, Miss Hawaii USA who went on to become Miss USA left an enormous trail of small business owners behind. She now belongs to Donald Trump and his Miss Universe Pageant. While his organization espouses virtuous behavior they obviously don't consider honoring one's commitments and word a virtue. To the contrary, they not only discourage the practice they forbid it. If any business entity, who helped sponsor Ms. Lee, wants to see her they'll have to book an appearance and pay a minimum of $2,000. From the dentist who put in thousands of dollars of work on her winning smile to yes, even me, who put a lot of time and expense in on her winning tan, to the people who clothed and jeweled her - we all expected an appearance or two and we all received the pleasure of being stood up.

Ms. Lee's local agent is Ann Mata, State Director of Miss Hawaii USA. Ms. Mata solicited most of Brook's sponsors. That's what she does. She makes promises that she knows she can't or won't keep. After Brook won Miss USA, Mata scheduled her personal appearances with the local sponsors. When Brook ended up being a "no show," Ms. Mata always had a really good reason for not calling. She truly believes that what she does is more important. Courtesy be damned. Talk about your mainland entities ripping off the local folk. Donald Trump (with Mata's help) puts an entirely new spin on the concept. However, it would be interesting to find out if the new Miss America, or Miss USA or even Mr. America, etc. would lose their crowns if they insisted upon living up to their own commitments.

Can you imagine a headline: MISS USA LOSES CROWN - REFUSED TO CHARGE DENTIST $2,000 FOR PHOTO. I can't. I wonder if anyone of the many winners in the years to come will ever have enough chutzpah to try. They could start with asserting themselves long enough to make a phone call. You know, the phone call that would tell the merchant they weren't showing up for the scheduled appearance.

If you've been taken in by any contestant, take heart. Nobody can remember who was Miss or Mr. Whatever from two years ago. When your winning contestant enters that vast world of obscurity, the one that most of us dwell in, they'll come back. How we'll choose to greet them is another issue. Brook who???

Note: This article was written before Brook Mahealani Lee won "Miss Universe."

Click Here to Read Ann Mata's Response to this Commentary.

It was indeed a privilege to sit among successful small business owners and supporters at the Small Business Awards' luncheon on May 22nd. It drove home the fact that Hawaii once again meets its' social-economic challenges like no other state. In truth, the entrepreneurial spirit, flair and dare has always been part of our island lifestyle. "Hawaiians" are not lazy. Historically and culturally, small business has always been the backbone of our economic stability.

However, I do find fault in the "tongue-in-cheek" remark that Jon de Mello should be Small Business Person of the Year again next year because the entertainment was so great. Sadly, it once again sums up the mentality of small business, big business and the public at large. I am sorry, but just because an entertainer's life looks more glamorous than ours does not mean it's okay to take advantage of their talents and time. Admittedly the entertainers present were there to demonstrate their support of Jon, but he has mutually supported them both professionally and personally.

Gone are the days when performing for free in front of a "select audience" is a promotional opportunity. Entertainers do not owe anyone anything. Entertainers are doing their job and doing better than you, I, the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce and the Hawaii Convention & Visitors Bureau combined.

Our entertainers are the epitome of Small Business. They are actively in the business of promoting the one commodity we cannot live without - our island home, Hawaii. In their music and through their performances the Aloha spirit comes through pure and clear. Why is it that we have no venues to showcase our performers? Why is there no showroom at the new Convention Center? Why must they go elsewhere to be appreciated and to make a living?

If small business owners truly believe in the purpose and mission of Small Business Hawaii, then I challenge them to look at our entertainers in the light in which they place themselves. They deserve equal respect, reward, recognition and support. When next you consult a new construction site, include an entertainment venue. When next you build an advertising or promotional plan, include local talent. The possibilities are endless, the return will be tenfold and the effects far reaching. Thank you for hearing me out.

Thank you, Small Business Hawaii.