Kurt Fevella

Democrat

Age: 40

Job: Heavy equipment operator

What is the most important issue facing your district, and what would you do about it?

Lack of infrastructure and connectivity. Relayed concerns to area leaders and decision-makers. Provided written testimony and presented testimony to both the city and state decision-making bodies in regards to rail, streets, parks, sewer and drainage for the Ewa Plain. Attended community committee meetings to address speeding, safety, security, traffic calming, park recreation development. Lobbied for capital improvement project funding. Work with other neighboring community leaders to address regionwide issues ... 

What qualifies you to be a state representative?

  Ewa Neighborhood member and chairperson; small business owner; DOE Security, High Risk Youth mentor, and educational assistant; team member to establish the Ewa Weed and Seed Program; Ewa Beach Neighborhood Watch; Ewa Beach Lions Club member; Local 3 member; Local 368 member; Our Lady of Perpetual Help Life Teen Team member; Ho‘opili Task Force member, Mayor's Citizens Advisory Task Force. 

What is one thing you would do in office to improve the local economy?

Tax incentives, and workman's compensation flexibility for small businesses. 

Do you support convening a Constitutional Convention? Please explain.

No, because of the tight economic situation we should not be using the budget for that purpose. We can look at this subject again when the economy will accommodate the effort. 

Do you support Oahu's planned rail-transit system ? Please explain.

Yes. We need all modes of transportation on the west side. I often think about if we had leaders with courage and vision to build the North-South Road 10 years ago, my community would be better off today. Just imagine if they began the Fort Weaver Road widening five years ago we would be better off. We need leaders who have the strength, vision and courage to move this project forward. Unlike my opponent, I participated, testified and supported rail because I have the courage and vision to make the decisions for the betterment of the future. 

What can the Legislature do to improve Hawaii's public education?

Support legislation that will allow the principals to have more autonomy, accountability and incentives for accomplishing standards. 

Kymberly Pine

Republican

Age: 37

Job: Development director, U.S. Vets Hawaii

Past: Research director, House of Representatives; former journalist

What is the most important issue facing your district, 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 to West Oahu. Ensure that all roads funded by the Legislature for the Leeward region stay on track for a 2009/10 completion. Change the majority of state workers to a four-day workweek. Allow employees to occasionally work from home. Prohibit lawmakers from raiding the highway fund for non-highway-related projects.

What qualifies you to be a state representative?

  Eleven years' experience working in public policy. Effectively secured crucial resources for future Ewa Beach traffic relief, which includes over $300 million in new roads and state facilities that will bring jobs to the region. My goal is to continue to ensure that the Legislature makes Ewa Beach a priority. 

What is one thing you would do in office to improve the local economy?

Make renewable energy a priority. Hawaii is the only state in the nation that is primarily dependent on oil for its energy. As a result, everything from food to the cost of doing businesses has gone up. We must partner with private businesses to make gains on renewable energy production so that investment in this area is revenue neutral for taxpayers. We must do away with the current belief at the Capitol that the only way to save the environment or create renewable energy is to raise taxes or fees on the people of Hawaii. Permitting for renewable energy programs must also be done faster. 

Do you support convening a Constitutional Convention? Please explain.

Yes, our state founders trusted the people of Hawaii to revisit the Constitution periodically to accommodate the changing times. We must trust the people too. 

Do you support Oahu's planned rail-transit system? Please explain.

Yes, so as long as no new taxes are imposed on the residents of my community to pay for it. Many are struggling as it is. 

What can the Legislature do to improve Hawaii's public education?

Create smaller learning environments (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 money goes. It is the only department that has not been audited by the Legislature. This audit is not to find fault but to see how we can get funding to the classroom more appropriately.