Tsai-ko Autobiography: Tom Mui, tommui
Name: Tom Mui Bonafide
Tsai-ko,
Tsai-ko Hall of Fame
High School: Princeton
High (NJ) 1950
Tsai-ko Lunch Size: Medium
Tsai-ko caricature: second row, right end
Other: The registered
copyright owner of the "Tsai-ko" name and variants. Done on behalf of
Stephen Tsai and Adddahknowjoe.
From the Warrior Beat blog September 1,
2007:
ST's Intro:
If this keeps up, lawyers will
have a good name.
Tom Mui, a lawyer by trade and UH sports fan by heart, was Spark
Matsunaga's law partner, a sometimes actor and a crusader who earned a
pardon from the NCAA.
Meet Tom Mui:
In 74 years, you accumulate a
lot of baggage.
I was born in Honolulu, attended grade school at Maryknoll, where my
three sisters and brother graduated.
Father was a Chinese diplomat and he got transferred out of Honolulu
when I was in the 8th grade. I attended high schools in Cuba, Florida
and graduated from Princeton High School in New Jersey. I am a member
of the Class of 1954 at U.H. (government major), and spent most of my
time at Hemenway Hall playing cards and in the Ka Leo darkroom. Spent
the next twenty-two months, twenty-seven days, 6-hours in the 25th
Division where I rose from E-1 to an illustrious rank of E-3! While in
the service, the CG was dismayed at the educational level of his
command and offered everyone a chance to spend the afternoons off-base
if they wanted to extend their education. Needless to say, all the
college-types took advantage and so my afternoons were spent up at UH
as a grad student.
Unlike our fearless leader, I did not take any drama courses but
managed to be in some UH and other theatrical events. Later I had parts
in several Hawaii 5-0 episodes typecast as a lawyer for all but one..
The Korean GI Bill gave me the chance to go to school in NYC and later
to take some post-grad courses in business and taxation, all of which
were never really put to use.
Back in Hawaii, I became a prosecutor, entered private practice, was
local Ad Asst for four years to my partner, Spark Matsunaga. who was
elected to Congress (later a U.S. Senator). I was appointed to a couple
of stints as a judge by three different Chief Justices’, and doing
other such crazy things.
I have been an avid fan of UH athletics, especially football and
basketball from the Termite Place to Aloha Stadium; from Klum Gym to
Stan Sheriff, until back surgery made it difficult to go to the Stadium
and Arena. Thank goodness for PPV!
I think my real claim to fame is that I defended the “Cutter Five” and
then got banned for life by the NCAA from participating in UH sport
booster groups whereupon I became a Governor and later a Board member
of the Symphony where I could corrupt the cello players! The NCAA later
decided that the penalties imposed on me, George Ariyoshi et al were
too severe and lifted the ban – but I still stay unrepentant!
Married to a lovely wife (Lois – a DOE retiree), three children, one
granddaughter..
I’m wondering at this moment when I will be banned from this Blog!
GO WARRIORS!