By David Shapiro

It was little surprise that banker Walter Dods decided not to climb into the snake pit otherwise known as the Democratic primary for governor, but the forces that scared him off should concern us all.

Dods was run out of the race because he's too rich for the blood of some Democrats. It's an ugly reverse snobbery that mistrusts some of our best as "too" successful — the old alamihi crab syndrome — that holds Hawai'i back from realizing its potential.

Dods said he declined to run for family reasons. Clearly, it was the carping about his wealth and the likelihood of his family's personal affairs being dragged into the campaign that stuck in his craw.

"I know what it is to be poor," he said. "I've been poor most of my life, and I think there's nothing wrong starting off as an office boy and making it to the top."

Dods said the notion that the Democratic Party is only for the economically challenged "is almost like, 'Let's keep people down on the plantation,' and I resent that."

He's absolutely right. The Democratic revolution of 1954 was about winning fair access to education and economic opportunity for working families. Dods is the embodiment of those new opportunities. He started from nothing and, by virtue of his ability and hard work, rose to the top of the financial world as chairman and CEO of First Hawaiian Bank and its parent, BancWest Corp.

A University of Hawai'i product and ardent Democrat from the start, he never forgot where he came from or lost his social conscience. As he led his bank to unprecedented growth, he made certain it was a good corporate citizen that generously supported the community where it made its money.

Dods takes the responsibilities of his own wealth seriously. He and his wife, Diane, funded a $1 million scholarship fund at UH to benefit graduates of Hawai'i public schools. He's given his time as well as his money to other efforts to reinforce the social safety net so dear to Democrats.

A trusted adviser to three Democratic governors, Dods always answered honorably when called. It's the kind of local success story that should be celebrated, not viewed with suspicion. For those "little guys" who shoot down a candidate of Dods' potential quality with cheap shots about his honestly earned wealth, the smallest thing about them is their minds.

It's impossible to say whether Dods would have made a good governor — or even a good candidate. He was dissuaded from the race before he even began to define his vision for Hawai'i or present his views on key issues.

And you never know how a nonpolitician will fare against seasoned opponents who may lack real-world smarts, but know how to win elections.

Dods doesn't like to be criticized. We saw his thin skin when he bristled at the heat he took for the infamous "Thumbs Up Hawai'i" campaign he helped launch. That was nothing compared to the barbs that fly in a political campaign.

His withdrawal was perhaps an admission that he lacks the stomach for the rough-and-tumble world of elective politics.

Still, it would have been much to our benefit to hear what he had to say. Win or lose, his presence would have enriched the field.

After all, it's been more than 40 years since Hawai'i elected a governor who came to the job with a record of real accomplishment in another life, who saw politics as a calling rather than a career opportunity.

David Shapiro can be reached by e-mail at dave@volcanicash.net.