Editor’s Note: In July 2012, Civil Beat sent six questions to each of the candidates registered to run in the Aug. 11 primary for Hawaii Senate District 2. All five responded, including Gary Safarik. The questions and answers are reproduced below in full. Read responses by Wendell Ka’ehu’ae’a, Russell Ruderman, Bob Herkes and Daryl Smith to see how Safarik’s positions compare to those of his competitors. Click on each topic listed below to read Civil Beat’s question and Safarik’s response.

• General Excise Tax
• Environmental Regulatory Review
• Gambling
• Sunshine Law
• Best and Worst Legislation
• Overlooked Issue

Preferred Candidate Name: Gary Safarik

Senate/House District Number: Senate District 2

Date of Birth: 01/08/1949

Place of Birth/Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii

Current Profession/Employer: Self employed consultant

Education/Alma Mater(s): Honolulu Community College, Associates Degree in Political Science; Chaminade University of Honolulu, Bachelor of General Studies

1. With the exception for Honolulu rail, the state has not raised the general excise tax in decades. Would you consider increasing the GET to help the state meet its budget demands?

No. ↩ back to top

2. Lawmakers proposed relaxing environmental regulatory review to spur development and job growth in the 2012 session, and the issue is expected to resurface next year. Where do you stand?

I would not vote to circumvent or relax any environmental reviews. ↩ back to top

3. Gambling — are you for it or against it? If not, why not? If so, what type of gambling and with what kind of restrictions?

Against legalization of gambling because of the social ills and crimes associated with that activity. ↩ back to top

4. The Sunshine Law is a hallmark of an open democracy accountable to its citizens. Yet, the Legislature exempts itself from this requirement. Do you support more transparency in government operations, or are there legitimate reasons to conduct some of the peoples’ business behind closed doors?

I support transparency and will work to bring the Sunshine Law into policy at the State Legislature. ↩ back to top

5. What is the best legislation — and worst legislation — that the Legislature has approved in recent years? Please explain.

Best: Passage of the Civil Union law because it leveled the playing field for same sex couples.

Worst: The Repeal of Voter financed elections in Hawaii. The repeal of this law allows special interests to control the election process. ↩ back to top

6. What is an issue that you would champion at the Legislature — one that perhaps has not received much attention, or an issue that is important to your district?

An alternate State highway in the Puna district. The Puna district is one of the fastest growing areas in the State of Hawaii. We have only one main highway through this area, this is needed to reduce traffic congestion and to provide an alternate route in emergencies. ↩ back to top