Kymberly Pine

Party: Republican

Age: 41

Job: Director of Development, US VETS (homeless veterans shelter)

Born in Honolulu. In Hawaii from birth

Contact: (808) 689-1713, kymberly@kymberlypine.org

Web site: www.kymberlypine.org

Job history past 10 years:
State Representative, 2004-Present; Director Minority Research, House of Representatives, 2003-2004; Policy Assistant, Arnold Schwarzenegger, 2002; Minority Floor Leader, Chief of Staff 1999-2002.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
Yes. In 2008 won by 70% of the vote.

Other civic experience or community service:
Former journalist, Lector OLPH Catholic Church, homeless advocate, Former AYSO Soccer Coach, Former Weed and Seed Chairperson

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
UC Berkeley Graduate, BA, Recent graduate of the American Institute of Congressional Studies Leadership Academy (one of 6 chosen in the nation in 2010), Recent graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy

1) What qualifies you to be a member of the state House?
13 years experience working in public policy. Successfully passed legislation that benefited my community and Hawaii. Effectively secured crucial resources for future and current Ewa Beach traffic relief, which includes over $700 million in new roads and facilities that will bring jobs to the region. My goal is to continue to ensure that the Legislature makes Ewa Beach a priority.

2) What do you feel is the biggest problem facing your district and what would you do about it?
Traffic/lack of jobs: Bring more jobs to the Leeward coast to reverse the traffic flow. Provide incentives to companies to move to West Oahu. Ensure all roads funded by the legislature for the Leeward region stay on track for completion. Provide for a 4-day 40 hour state work week. Allow telecommuting. Prohibit lawmakers from raiding the highway fund for non-highway projects.

3) How would you have voted on House Bill 444, the civil unions bill? Explain.
I voted against HB 444. My constituents are overwhelmingly against this particular legislation.

4) How can the state help the city address the problem of homelessness?
Provide funding that Governor Lingle and homeless advocates have requested for affordable housing/mental heath care. Stop giving handouts that imprison people to be dependent on government and instead create programs that teach people to succeed on their own and provide more educational opportunities. The worst way to take away someone's dignity is to do for them what they can do for themselves.

5) What is your stance on increasing the general excise tax to balance the budget and/or fund needed programs?
This tax increase on food, rent, gas, health care and other basic necessities would have been the most damaging tax increase to the people of my district, to businesses, and to jobs. Taxing constituents of my district for these items when they lost their job and their home because of this economy in just unconscionable.

6) What is your stance on gambling?
While I was open to listen to advocates in favor of gambling, I, in the end voted against gambling bills on final readings. While gambling could bring more revenue to the state, all studies show that the negative social consequences resulting from increased crime and gambling addictions would cost the state and our families much more.