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Editor’s note:ÌýFor Hawaii’s Aug. 9 primary, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions.

The following came from Jeff DavisÌý, a Libertarian candidate forÌýgovernor. Three Democrats, three Republicans, one Libertarian, one Independent and four nonpartisan candidates areÌýalso running.

Go to Civil Beat’sÌýElections GuideÌýfor general information, and check out other candidates on theÌýPrimary Election Ballot.

Name: Jeff Davis

Party: Libertarian

Occupation:ÌýSmall business owner, 23 years. Solar. Radio and TV talk show host.

Education: San Diego State. Ìý

Age: 57

Community organizations: Educational radio and TV platforms.

1. Why are you running for governor?

Government in its pure state, is virtually hallowed. To create a system of forward policy to leave the planet a better place for future generations is as old as the hills. Primitive, yet, common sense. Today’s evolved culture has given rise to, in our case, elections. I’m in this hallowed race to bring our government back — for the people. By the people. Ìý

2. Are you satisfied with the current plans to pay for the state’s unfunded liabilities? If not, how would you propose to meet pensions and health obligations for public workers?

The unfunded state retirement fund, as an example, can be attributed to the “kick the can to the next election” model. ÌýWithout state funded campaigns, none of these knots will ever be untied. Let’s fix the problems from the top down.Ìý

3. Where do you stand on labeling of genetically engineered food and pesticide regulation?

The issue of labeling GMO foods goes back to the root of the reality. GMO companies occupy prime ag land in Hawaii. This alone keeps us from producing food that will not be shipped from overseas, adding to the trade deficit crippling our economy. No food comes to our tables. No economic driver. Only campaign fund contributions. They have been revealed for the special interest money grab that they are. They are protected by the status quo. The cycle of re-election campaign. So in order to rid these toxic farmers from our Aina, we must resort to such tactics as labeling. Good lord, Ìýthey must either start growing food without the toxic poison, or leave. The farmers employed by these chem companies will find better jobs with less restricted use pesticide exposure.Ìý

4. Local officials and advocates have worked to address homelessness for years, yet the crisis is growing. What proposals do you have for this complicated issue?

I have set up a tent several weeks ago in Kakaako Makai. I spent four nights sleeping there with my neighbors. ÌýChildren. Approximately 40 kids living with less basic amenities than the humane shelter for animals. No running water — no bathroom. For starters. My position on this can be better fleshed out on YouTube: “Jeff Davis solar guy.” In short. The real face of homelessness is a child. You can’t hate or blame the child, as we are allowed to hate and blame the dirty bum. How convenient to have the scapegoat for government failure.

5. Hawaii’s cost of living is the highest in the country by many indicators. What can really be done to make things like housing, food and transportation less expensive?

To “easily” fix this problem we must have a Jones Act exemption for Hawaii. We are being held hostage to the politicians who take campaign donations to keep the status quo. No free trade. Therefore no competitive agriculture. And so. We spend more on out of state food than we generate in tourism. Oil for energy is next. Imagine a business that spends more than it makes. That’s our state. We are on welfare. Except of course the developers and the political party (Democratic) and the unions. Don’t get me wrong. The Republicans aren’t upset due to the graft and corruption, it’s because they’re not getting their fair share. The party battle is for the money. Not for us.

6. Are you satisfied with the way Hawaii’s public school system is run? How can it be run better?

Hawaii’s schools are a canary in a coal mine. ÌýAgain, without change from the top down with state funded campaigns, you will never put “Humpty Dumpty back Ìýtogether again.” I see a simple solution to a complicated situation. Let’s give our politicians the tools to serve. For the people. By the people. ÌýSimple.

7. Would you support using liquefied natural gas as part of the state’s energy sources? And what thoughts do you have on improving the electric distribution system (the grid) so more renewables can be in the mix?

LNG a new solution? No. An excuse to dilly dally and promote the status quo. Hawaii’s renewable possibilities are one of our greatest gifts. Other states and countries have accepted the inevitable and quickly made major policy changes to plan for the better world for their children. We don’t so as to keep the “political party gone Ìýbad” in control. It’s a vote folks. We won’t chop off your fingers or kill you for using that hallowed right. So please, use it.

8. Hawaii’s public records law mandates that public records be made available whenever possible. Yet many citizens are unable to afford the costs that state and local government agencies impose. Would you support eliminating search and redaction charges and making records free to the public except for basic copying costs?<

Hawaii led the nation for non-transparency re access to information from our government. Take the rail for example on the city side, and the Hawaii Community Development Authority from the state side. Hawaii’s public law comes in second to our reality of a political party gone bad.Ìý

9. There is a desire to grow the economy through new development yet also a need to protect our limited environmental resources. How would you balance these competing interests.

Development Ìývs environment? ÌýI see the environment as a development opportunity. Just see Costa Rica’s success story with ecotourism. Development is necessary for jobs. More jobs can be created with creative development, as opposed to the good old way. ÌýIn short. We have all the pieces of a unique, sustainable, poster child of the future. Instead we support the past to our children’s demise.

10. What other important issue would you like to discuss here?

Why bother with issues, plural? There is truly only one. Children. Future generations ad infinity. The issues are a multitude but the solution is simple. No more pay to play. ÌýIt’s legal to use your right to vote. It’s legal to use this form of government to reclaim itself. State-funded election campaigns, eight-year term limits in the Legislature. A simple fix from the top down.