2006-08-03 Board of Ethics Minutes Special Meeting kd

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you like to stand and deliver? Kathy? Either at the mike or - -I think Karen needs to hear this so if you can sit there it is fine, or at the podium. KH: I have no written statement, but I will give... RW: Please identify yourself. KH: Yes, My name is Kathy Hirayama, and I am the owner of Hirayama Brother's Electric, and I will start with (cough). Excuse me I am having a problem with my asthma this morning (clearing of her throat). I will start with, excuse me (cough). RW: Take your time. KH: I apologize. RW: No problem. While she is getting her wind, are there any other members of the public, by the way, who would like to speak at this time? Your okay? KH: I am a personal friend of Gary and Debbie Safarik. I've known them for many years. I have also worked with Gary when he was the Council Chair. I was his special assistant. And I can tell you, honestly, those who know me, know that we operate our business in a honest manner, and we have live in this community for, I cannot say, 50 years and operated a business for 40 plus years. And I know, I worked closely with Gary, he was always an honest broker. If he wasn't I wouldn't work with him. And while I worked with him closely as the President of KIAA, he was my Vice President and I know that when he worked with me everything was done in an honest manner. This is an honest man and I think if a mistake was made it was an honest mistake. He would not deliberately do anything illegal, immoral, or against society's rules and regulations. I don't believe that. So I'm just saying that his wife and him they are good people. They believe in their community. He's a man who loves his family, he loves his friends, and he really loves his Puna community. I know that'cause I saw it first hand. And so, I know that he would never take money from anybody, especially the people of the Island of Hawaii. No way. So, I'm just saying please take a real good look at it and I know that you all think that I am his friend, so I'm going to back him up. No, I'm backing him up because it is the truth and I thank you for your time. RW: Thank you. Any questions from the Board? Ah, do we have another witness, or another statement from the public. Please step forward and identify yourself. ND: My name is Norman Dionne (ND). I'm a resident of Puna and live on Aweoweo Street, and I also work at the Hilo University of Hawaii in Hilo. And what came to light when I heard this about this issue. About communications basically. The residents of Puna and I saw this handout come in the mail and I am not particularly a friend of Gary Safarik or his wife I only know them through political service, that kind of thing. And I am here to tell you that I appreciate these things. I didn't know what was going on till I got a handout - -the mail out. RW: Which one? What is the date of that one? The cover letter. What is the date on that one? ND: That is a good question. June 6. This is the June 6th one. So I find these things important. 2