To be a star is also to be a product. Tani Lynn is now ready on both fronts.

Paula Abdul told Maui's American Idol finalist, Camile Velasco, that she needed to move to the West Coast if she wanted to advance her career. No one was surprised to hear that dreaming of stardom in entertainment would mean living in Los Angeles. Tani Lynn (Fujimoto), a performer with a very impressive body of work behind her despite her tender years, is taking charge of her career by moving in the other direction. She's banking on the skills and enthusiasm of powerfully connected, seasoned industry professionals who are Maui-based, to take her to the next level.

Tani Lynn was a preteen when she began recording. She had some success, but not the kind that feels like a career in the making, certainly not the kind that secures a rise to stardom. She got attention enough to land her a principal role on Baywatch Hawai'i and some high-profile modeling assignments for Sanrio and a national television campaign for Barbie.

Still, the sophomore at O'ahu's Sacred Heart School was not "there," not "making it" as her talents suggested she should be. She enjoyed being chosen as a spokesperson for D.A.R.E., the Adult Friends of Youth Programs and Hawai'i Jaycees celebrations, but her sights were set much higher. At 16 and four years into a career that was launched on the nationally televised Apollo Kids Competition held at the historic Apollo Theater in New York City, Tani Lynn was alternating between success and slowdowns, sometimes being acclaimed and sometimes being blamed (along with her handlers) for bad judgment in the material she chose.

Now, apparently realizing that stardom is a business that requires professional management and careful strategizing, Tani Lynn is set on a new course, guided by some of Maui's most experienced and most honored behind-the-scenes stars.

Karey Oura and Shane Dudoit, co-presidents of the Maui-based Rip Tide record label, have signed Tani Lynn and are working on her next CD, Hold On. As the developers who launched Raiatea Helm's Far Away Heaven, they know what success looks like and how it is achieved. They have Chris Pati, President of Modern Voices Entertainment (New York), on board to produce and arrange the album which is slated for release later this year. Pati has 20 years' experience in the recording industry and has produced for EMI, Columbia, Capitol, Virgin and Sony.

Blaise Noto of Maui-based Blaise Noto & Associates is doing the marketing. Noto, previously executive vice president of worldwide publicity for Paramount Pictures, has worked on a lot of projects including such blockbusters as Titanic, Braveheart and Forrest Gump. More recently, he worked with Mel Gibson on the national PR for The Passion of the Christ. His resume also includes recordings of movie soundtracks and singles like the Oscar-winning "(I've Had) the Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing and "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic.

Award-winning Maui designer Saedene Yee-Qta of Saedesign is creating the look and styling the graphics for the Tani Lynn campaign. Other clients of Saedesign include The Four Seasons, The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, Old Lahaina Luau and the Feast at Lele, Dolphin Galleries, Maiu Kula Lavendar and the Prince Resorts.

In short, the Tani Lynn team is all-pro and Maui-powered. This is not a test. It is the beginning of something real and, there is every indication, lasting for one of Hawai'i's most talented young performers.