SAFARIK TO CHALLENGE NAEOLE FOR PUNA COUNCIL SEAT

The life-long Hawaii native and former Honolulu police officer served three terms before losing to current Puna Councilwoman Emily Naeole by 559 votes in the 2006 general election.

Also vying for the seat this time around are incumbent Naeole, Wayne Joseph and Kale Gumapac.

Safarik said he did not plan to run again after losing the election in 2006, but a growing public outcry and personal reflection time has prompted him to again toss his hat in the ring and try to regain his former spot on the council.

"About three months ago, I started receiving calls from people asking me if I was considering running," he said. "I got a few calls, just people in the community. Mostly, people who knew me. I was undecided at that point. When I lost in 2006, it was never my intent to run again. I felt that I had served and I was just going to move on to the next level of my life."

Safarik said in May he and wife, Debbie, took a month-long trip to Europe. The trip gave him a lot of time to think about what is important to him, he said.

When he returned home, there were more than 80 phone messages from residents asking him to run for County Council.

"When I got back home I knew in my heart that I was going to run again," he said. "They were saying, 'Gary, please run.' To my surprise, a lot of them where people I didn't know."

Another funny thing happened, Safarik said. When he returned from his trip, he began seeing his old 2006 campaign signs popping up all over district -- even before he made a decision to run.

"I think when you look at the overall issues of our Puna District, the issues are still the same if not more regarding Puna: infrastructure, transportation, health care, education," he said. "We have the fastest growing population in the state of Hawaii in Puna. There is still a lot more to do."

Safarik said he has the experience to best serve Puna, but wants to give the community a chance to meet him and talk story with him. He wants to show them he's ready to listen to their concerns and take a new approach to leading the district.

"Everybody comes in with the idea that they are going to help Puna," Safarik said. "I don't have to learn about the issues. I know what the issues are. I just feel like I have the experience and the heart and desire to serve Puna again. I love Puna. I want that place to be the best it can be."

Safarik said his main concerns are creating an alternate route in and out of Puna, public safety and addressing the lack of health care in the district.

"There was never any question on my capability to bring home the improvements in Puna. I believe that I have made some mistakes (but) I feel that I am the best qualified," he said. "I am going to place myself out there in the community so people truly can know who Gary Safarik is and not make a decision based on perception or based on rumors."

Safarik said people can call him at 443-1264 or e-mail him at westernpa001@hawaiiantel.net.