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.