By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Columnist

Poor Jasmine Trias.

Poor Jasmine, not because of anything Simon Cowell said or some chat-room sniper wrote.

Poor Jasmine, not because of the outcome of the competition, because she did well and she'll do fine.

But poor thing for what some unsavory elements in her own hometown have up their greasy sleeves.

They use words like "leverage" and "promote" and even "support," but the accurate description is "use."

There are people who want to use Jasmine's hard-earned name recognition for their own benefit. They see in her a bright and shining source of power and they're circling her with their extension cords extended, looking for a way to plug in and live off her light.

Oh, what she can do for tourism.

Oh, what she can do for business.

Oh, what she can do for ... fill in the blank.

It happens to every local celebrity who manages to lift themselves out of the bucket into the national spotlight. There are countless crabs at the bottom of that bucket grabbing and snapping, trying to climb out on the back of the chosen one.

Pose with this politician.

Promote this local product.

Perform my composition.

Let us make you the Face of Hawai'i so we can sell, sell, sell.

All in the name of "supporting" a local-kid-made good.

But here's the thing: "Supporting" someone doesn't mean a parasitic or even symbiotic relationship. It's a one-way devotion with no expectation of return.

Jasmine Trias' name is her own. Her talent is her own. Her career path belongs to her.

Hawai'i supported her in the competition, and she has been nothing but effusively grateful and gracious. But you know what? She doesn't owe us anything. So we picked up the phones and voted for her. So what? She was all by herself on that stage. If she owes anybody anything, it's her parents for the years of voice lessons and encouragement when no one knew her name.

When Emerson wrote "Hitch your wagon to a star," he wasn't giving much consideration to the star. Poor star, with all manner of overloaded U-Hauls and rusty trailers hitched to it. How did Duke Kahanamoku manage to slide so beautifully through the water with all of Hawai'i's tourist industry riding on his shoulders?

Jasmine Trias has a bright future ahead of her. Anyone who tries to glom on to that future — including and especially local government and business leaders — shame on them.

Support her without expectation of return. Admire her for her talent and determination.

Let her shine.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.