(a) Chapters 1 through 10 are intended to implement and administer the provisions of chapter 84, HRS, relating to standards of conduct for state legislators and employees, and chapter 97, HRS, relating to lobbyists.(b) General principles. The following general principles apply to every legislator and employee and may form the basis for the standards contained in these rules. The prohibitions set forth in these chapters are not intended to create a comprehensive list of unlawful conduct. Where a situation is not covered by the standards set forth in Chapter 84 or 97, HRS, or these rules, legislators and employees shall apply the principles set forth in this section in determining whether their conduct is proper. (1) Public service is a public trust, requiring legislators and employees to place loyalty to the Constitution, laws, and ethical principles above private gain.(2) To preserve the public's confidence in the integrity of state government, legislators and employees shall endeavor to avoid any actions creating the appearance that they are violating the law or ethical standards.(3) Legislators and employees shall not advance their financial interests at the expense of the conscientious performance of duty and shall not use public office for private gain.(c) Any agency may adopt or implement stricter ethical standards of conduct than those set forth in chapters 84 or 97, HRS, or these rules.[Eff July 13, 1981; am and comp 11/28/2020] (Auth: Haw. Const, art. XIV; HRS §§ 84-31(a)(5), 97-6(a)(5)) (Imp: Haw. Const, art. XIV; HRS §§ 84-1, 84-31, 84-37, 97-6)