Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Thursday, December 12, 2024 79° Today's Paper


Election

District 05 – Kimberly S. Case

Full Name: Kimberly Stern Case

Name on Ballot: Kimberly S. Case

Age: 53

District: Honolulu City Council District 5

Email Address: Kimberlyscase@aol.com

Current Job: full-time super mom

Place of birth: Cleveland

Campaign website: Facebook Kimberly S. Case and Kimberlyscase.com

Job history past 10 years:

Legal Aid Society of Hawaii 2006-2008

Ever run for public office? If so, when? Outcome?

House District 24 in 2010, House District 25 in 2012

Other civic experience or community service?

Manoa Neighborhood Board, 2008-2010

Anything else you’d like voters to know about you?

I graduated from Punahou School and UCLA. I walk the District most mornings and have witnessed worsening homelessness, failure of our community to support the University of Hawaii, its medical school and its infrastructure, and watched as the representatives of our district fail to bring new ideas forward.

What makes you qualified to be a Council member?

I am qualified to serve specifically because I am a newcomer with fresh ideas. I do not have a war chest of donated money which makes my positions on the issues truly objective. The magnitude of my life experiences will help determine strategies for addressing both issues and politicians.

What is your one big idea?

Changing rail from Middle Street into town to street level electric tram or electric trolley system. The route should eventually split, one route into Waikiki along Kuhio ending at the Zoo. The other route following Kapiolani turning up at University to UH. This would solve the need to purchase land.

What steps should elected city officials take next regarding the rail project?

Rail needs to come down to street level which will cut the cost associated with a multilevel building. Each station should have commercial space attached, which will offset costs and generate income. All sources of funds to complete transit must be identified and discussed.

Why has the city not been able to take more homeless off the street and what would you do to improve the situation?

Increase Housing First money immediately. Convert empty schools into shelters, and set up safe parking areas for homeless living in their cars to park at night. Also, determine why, from where and how the 25 percent of newly homeless from out-of-state are arriving here, to address this flow.

What steps can elected officials take to ensure city employees behave ethically?

Stop political donations. Have all meetings public and all work subject to freedom of information access. All public employees should also be subject to dismissal if work is not done accurately or timely and a protocol should be set up for the filing of anonymous complaints of unethical behavior.

As an elected city official, what would you do to improve the city’s affordable housing supply?

Need to copy San Francisco and outlaw short-term VRBO rentals. Promote more rental building similar to 7000 Hawaii Kai Drive focus on affordable housing during permitting process. In addition, laws that increases taxes on the purchase of investment properties and restrictions on the reselling of these properties are needed.

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