Kyle Yamashita

Party: Democratic

Age: 50

Job: State Representative/Small Business Person.

Born in Hawaii. In Hawaii from birth

Lives: Pukalani

Contact: 808 870-5874, kyle.yamashita@hawaiiantel.net

Job history past 10 years:
November 2004-Present, State Representative. 2002-2004, State Of Hawaii, Legislative Aide. 1990-2004, Waiehu Beach Partners, General Partner/General Manager.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
Yes, 2006 Won, 2004 Won. 2002 Lost

Other civic experience or community service:
BoyScouts of America, Scoutmaster. PTA; SCMB; Grad Night Committee; Rotary; Real Property Tax Review Board.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
Married for 24 years. 2 sons, ages 21 & 15

1) Why are you running for office?
I care about my community and the future of Maui and the state. My background includes small business, legislative work, and music, and I hope to use my skills and experience to resolve important issues and represent constituents harmoniously.

2) With state revenue growth slowing, what are your top three priorities for government spending?
Education, Transportation Infrastructure, which will also create jobs, and Alternative Energy to reduce energy costs as well as reduce our dependence on imported oil.

3) What steps should the state take to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel?
We should take advantage of our natural resources such as solar, wind, and wave energy. We should focus on agriculture to energy crops which will also keep a certain percentage of land in green, open space. We should make public transportation and the use of bicycles more convenient and safe.

4) What's the No. 1 thing needed to improve Hawai'i public schools?
There are so many important needs such as fixing our facilities, student and teacher safety, parental involvement, keeping up with technology, but the number one focus should always be academic achievement.

5) How should the state respond to financial difficulties at public and private hospitals?
We need to take a hard, close look at the financial decisions made by Hawaii Health Systems Corporation and work with them to make the needed changes. The state's response for both the public and private hospitals must include the state's responsibility to provide adequate healthcare to our citizens, and not just based on financial level.

6) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Hawai'i, and what would you do about it?
The cost of energy and how that affects our overall economy is the number one quality of life issue. We need to be more aggressive in decreasing our dependence on oil, and to pursue true sustainability for an island economy.

7) What's the No. 1 piece of legislation you'd work to pass in 2009?
One of my highest priorities is economic development and providing a level playing field for Hawaii businesses. I would like to pass legislation that restructures our tax system, reviews all tax credits, eliminates those which are not serving our community fairly and not contributing to our overall economy, and review our regulatory process to reduce over burdensome and obsolete requirements.