Kymberly Pine

Party: Republican

Age: 39

Job: Director of Development, US VETS (Formerly Homeless Veterans Housing).

Born in Honolulu. In Hawaii from birth

Lives: 'Ewa Beach

Contact: (808) 689-1713, kym@kympine.org

Web site: www.kympine.org

Job history past 10 years:
House of Representatives 1997-Present, Currently State Representative, Former Director of Minority Research, Rep. David Pendleton Chief of Staff and Press Secretary, Assistant to Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
Yes. Won in 2004, 2006 State House 43rd District.

Other civic experience or community service:
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Filipino Catholic Club member, Former member Ewa Beach Lions Club, Ewa Weed and Seed and AYSO Soccer Coach.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
Graduate of UC Berkeley.

1) Why are you running for office?
To ensure that traffic relief projects funded during my term are constructed as soon as possible. To lower energy and gas prices by implementing bolder renewable energy solutions. To continue to advocate for tougher crime laws. To improve public education and provide affordable housing.

2) With state revenue growth slowing, what are your top three priorities for government spending?
Increase state capital improvement projects to provide jobs and stimulate the economy. Increase investment and enact laws for improved renewable energy development to lower the cost of living and the cost of doing businesses. Allow companies like Castle and Cook to invest private money to build windfarms. Increase investment in math and science learning in public schools to stimulate innovation.

3) What steps should the state take to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel?
Remove barriers, improve and fast track permitting process and give tax breaks to companies who develop, invest in or sell alternative energy so they can compete with oil. Improve infrastructure to Hawaii's electric grid to allow for easier and economical access to renewable energy. Set a fair wholesale rate for renewable energy purchase. Require electric companies to purchase renewable energy.

4) What's the No. 1 thing needed to improve Hawai'i public schools?
Create schools within schools that encourage learning based on a students' chosen career path so they can practically apply what they are learning toward their future. Audit the Department of Education, where half the state's general fund money goes, to maximize funding to the classroom. Start public school learning as early as three years old. Have a stronger emphasis on math and science.

5) How should the state respond to financial difficulties at public and private hospitals?
Allow hospitals to have authority over their own finances, to be separate corporations and still maintain regional boards. Allow hospitals to work with homecare providers to lessen the cost of treating long term care patients. Remove the Certificate of Need (CON) process. If a private company wants to invest their own money to build a hospital they should be allowed to do so.

6) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Hawai'i, and what would you do about it?
Traffic: Bring more jobs to the Leeward coast to reverse the traffic flow. Provide incentives to companies to move West. Ensure all roads funded by the legislature for the Leeward region stay on track for a 2009/10 completion. Allow for a four-day or staggered hour work week for state workers. Allow employees to work from home. Prohibit lawmakers from raiding the highway fund.

7) What's the No. 1 piece of legislation you'd work to pass in 2009?
Pass renewable energy legislation mentioned in question 3. High energy costs will force legislators to implement proposals they failed to pass in previous years due to complacency and a protection of an energy monopoly. Talking is no longer an option. We must act now to explore biofuels that need less energy or materials to be produced such as Algae, the jatropha weed and switch grass.