The head of Hawaii’s police union, Tenari Maafala, testified against the gay marriage bill Monday afternoon, saying he would never enforce such a law.

“You would have to kill me,” he told a panel of House lawmakers hearing Senate Bill 1.

Maafala is president of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers and an officer with the Honolulu Police Department.

He said SB 1 is contrary to his religious views and opposes the measure.

Republican Reps. Bob McDermott and Richard Fale questioned Maafala about his views. Maafala said the state has more important issues to address, such as homelessness and drugs, and that denying gay couples the right to marry is not discrimination if it’s against your beliefs.

“I stand by my beliefs,” Maafala said.

The SHOPO website has featured religious views in the past. The president’s Nov. 4, 2011, message to member, families and friends opened with a passage from Romans and a request for members to take a moment to “thank Our Heavenly Farther for His love, mercy, and kindness.”

— Nathan Eagle

Tenari Maafala speaks for New Hope Oahu in a YouTube video posted Aug. 22. (NewHopeOahu’s YouTube channel)