The Life of Rod Tam

By Rod Tam

Aloha!

In life, everyone accumulates a wealth of experiences and gradually, a purpose to our existence begins to emerge. Everyone contributes to our society, whether as an entrepreneur, employee, college professor, doctor, teacher, secretary, bus driver, etc. People question themselves and each other about their purpose and destiny on the road of life. I am no exemption.

Today, I wish to offer my biography with a focus on “Who is Rod Tam” and why I devoted 32 years of my life to public / government service in the State of Hawaii (City& County of Honolulu’s Neighborhood Board, State of Hawaii’s House of Representative and Senate and City & County of Honolulu’s City Council) in service to my constituents.

Who is Rod Tam?

• Public service advocate and libertarian. “Service & Service to Humanity”.

• Student of Democracy (open transparency of local government, independent thinker and human rights advocate). “People’s government”.

• In-depth knowledge of State of Hawaii’s and City & County of Honolulu’s government structure and process.

• Innovative in positive and legal solutions to public issues/problems.

• Grassroots – personally communicates with people in the community to represent their concerns. For the past 32 years, Rod Tam has taken on the concerns of his community, very often being unjustly criticized for being a colorful local character in the community and a favored target of the local news media.

Why 32 years of public government service?

To answer this question, one must first define “politics”. Politics may be perceived as good and bad. Good politics – the government exists in service of the public (people) to support the desired life-style outcomes of a positive economic and social society. Bad politics – the abuse of government power for the control of society in furthering the self-interests of a few, often for financial gain and/or to affect revenge on one’s enemies. I believe and practice that government should be the voice of the people in formulating the direction of the economic and social structure of society. People’s government.

Consequences of Rod Tam’s beliefs and actions

As result of my beliefs and actions on behalf of the public, I have experienced severe personal hardship and negative consequences including slanderous attacks, death threats and other negative political consequences in opposition of my candidacy for elective public office.

Examples of consequences:

• 1982 death contract in my candidacy for the State of Hawaii’s House of Representatives due to my involvement in opposing the unwanted and questionable Huna street condominium development.
  

• 2009 death contract from investment developers for my support of Kukui Gardens residents in their plea for continued affordable rental housing versus the alternative high income, high-rise development that would negatively impact Kukui Gardens residents.
  

• I coordinating the stoppage of organized crime entities from California entering Honolulu’s Chinatown and opposing a city government subsidized and unwanted high-rise development on city land in Honolulu’s Chinatown River Street’s anti-crime and historic culture designated community.

• Recent, alleged petty misdemeanor and misdemeanor criminal charges brought for receipt and bookkeeping errors. These amounting to about $700.00 of city council contingency, “discretionary expenses” for which I had previously acknowledged and agreed to correct.

Rod Tam’s Future Plans

Now that I am “retired” from government public service, my future plans are as follows:

• To provide essential, ongoing Daily care of my ill and aged parents. Mother has Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and is too weak to be mobile without assistance. Father has high cholesterol.

• Working within the private sector to financially support the needs of my devoted family and especially, my childrens' education.

• Continue to be of service to Hawaii’s people in a voluntary capacity as needed.

• Share my 32 years of government experiences through education and in consultation with the public, business concerns, others interested in the workings of State and City governments and how they should be represented by their elected officials. “Government responsible to the people of Hawaii.”

• Inform people of the structures and processes of the State of Hawaii and City & County of Honolulu’s governments.

• Inform and assist people in lobbying the legislature, city council, governor and mayor.

Regarding the allegations toward me...
•    The issue pertaining to the Ethics Commission report is closed on the basis of no wrongful activity.
**Reimbursements were made because the discretionary funds definition is  subject to interpretation and I wanted to move forward.

•    The investigation by the Honolulu Police Department is on going.

•    The Attorney General’s office is conducting its own investigation on my allocated discretionary funds.

At any rate I have done all I can to put light on these topics and the issues are in the hands of the attorneys now.

You can view my interview on the KITV Morning show here:

http://www.kitv.com/video/24661013/detail.html

Candidate Forum on August 11, 2010 at Akira Sakima Recreation Center next to the Kam IV Road HPD Substation brought out about 50 community members and candidates from the area, as well as those running Statewide, and also Honolulu-wide. Video telecast on Channel 54 'Olelo scheduled from Aug. 16, 2010 at 9 pm on cable Channel 54 and replayed to Sept. 6 inclusive from 9 pm weekly on Mondays.

Honolulu City Councilman Rod TAM announced to members of his campaign yesterday, that although he previously voted for the “Rail Project”, after researching the project more thoroughly  he can no longer be in support of it. Currently the City & County of Honolulu is not able to afford the project in these slow economic times. “I will not support the Rail Project… To date, the project has no viable financial plan.” He also stated that community members he has talked to don’t want the rail.

Honolulu City Councilman ROD TAM met with Director Wang Jianzhuang of the People's Congress from the City of Zhoukou of the Henan Province of the People's Republic of China on July 6, 2010, along with six other diplomats for a friendly exchange of international relations.  As a former State Senator and a member of the House of Representatives with over 30 years of experience in government, ROD TAM introduced to the Chinese diplomats Hawaii's sound investment environment.  As friends of City Councilman ROD TAM who is of Chinese descent, the Chinese people support ROD TAM's candidacy for Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu.  Once they return to their homeland, they will recommend to their business leaders in various enterprises about our sound environment, our educational programs, our innovative energy saving programs, and our future economic plans for tourism and further exchange, cooperation and investment in our great city.

Our foreign visitors appreciate ROD TAM's vision for the future of Honolulu to become an international metropolis of open and democratic government.  With ROD TAM's rich experiences and strong ties in both political and international business relations, especially in Taiwan and the People's Republic of China, Honolulu will become a substantive capitol to attract foreign investments to revitalize the economy of our great city and will create more job opportunities for all.

7月6日,市议员ROD

TAM会见了来自中国河南省周口市人大常委会主任王建庄一行6人,双方进行了亲切友好交谈.作为前夏威夷州参议员,众议员,从政近了三十年的ROD TAM向客人介绍了夏威夷良好的投资环境.作为友人,他们对有华人背景的ROD TAM出来参选檀市市长积极支持,承偌回国后将推荐相关企业在环境,教育,新能源,观光等方面进一步交流合作及投资.

客人们非常认同ROD TAM议员的观点,将檀香山市建成一个国际性的都市,有一个开放,民主的政府.利用ROD TAM在亚洲,尤其是台湾,中国内地的丰富政商关系,引进外资,提振檀市经济,创造更多工作机会起到实质作用

Rod Tam, City Councilman of the 6th Council District (Kalihi Valley, Kam. Heights, Alewa Heights, Puunui, Liliha, Nuuanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Makiki, Tantalus, Kakaako, Downtown, Chinatown) since 2002 and a 2010 Mayoral Candidate, for the City and County of Honolulu; stated today that he has been a strong advocate for Open Government throughout his political career.

TAM stands behind 2 beliefs:

•    Democracy. Government belongs to the people and shall be governed by the people’s voice and involvement.

•    Open government.  Government shall be representative of people through elected public representative and open public hearings in the creation of laws, resolutions, rules and regulations.

As Mayor of the City & ‘County of Honolulu, Rod TAM’s will:

•    Develop short-term and long-term economic plans to stabilize and stimulate the City & County of Honolulu.

•    Efficiently and productively hear and resolve city issues of residents.

•   Provide efficient and productive city public services.

•    Increase city employees’ morale.

TAM, has stated yesterday, “I will not back down from my basic principals of government.” Community members have recently approached Rod Tam regarding his stand on the “RAIL”. TAM responded, “Although I originally voted in favor of the rail, it has come to my attention that there may not have been sufficient research done on the efficiency or practicality of putting a rail system in Honolulu. I am currently doing my own research on the matter and will reply at a later date.”