Full Name: Fern Anuenue Rosenstiel

Name on Ballot: Fern Anuenue Rosenstiel

Age: 31, 32 on Primary Day

Political Party: Democrat

Running For: Hawaii House of Representatives

District: District 14

Email Address: votefern@yahoo.com

Current Job: Management

Place of birth: Kapahi, Kauai

Campaign website: votefern.com

Job history past 10 years:

Between 2003 and 2009, while attending university full time, I had many jobs including those working in office, management, telemarketing, retail sales and hospitality positions.

After graduating from Griffith University with a bachelor’s of science with triple majors I was immediately offered a graduate position with GHD Gold Coast office as an environmental scientist. I worked there until I moved home in 2012.

While working for GHD I was put on contract to the Queensland State Department of Transport and Mail Roads for close to a year where I worked as the environmental officer for the Bundaberg regional office.

Since returning home, I have set up my own small business and engaged in community involvement and outreach. I also started working for a third generation owned restaurant and landmark, Tahiti Nui, in Hanalei. I came in entry level, hosting and bussing and over the last four years have worked up to management. I currently also take on small office and consulting contracts through my business, Anuenue Enterprises.

Ever run for public office? If so, when? Outcome? I have never run for public office before.

Other civic experience or community service?

I have been actively involved in community my entire life. Throughout the last decade I have slowly become more and more active in policy and legislation at all levels of government.

Throughout university I volunteered on many community projects including:

>> Coastal restoration and dune rehabilitation projects along the Gold Coast.

>> Moreton Bay Cetacean and community education programs.

>> Youth mentoring programs.

>> Sea Turtle tagging and research.

>> Watershed and catchment management education programs.

>> Flora and fauna surveys and programs to develop and implement long term wildlife management studies.

Since returning home, I have been involved in many issues and community conversations. I was heavily involved in the development, passing and ongoing defense of Ordinance 960, Kauai Pesticide Disclosure & Buffer Zone Law and organized the permits and groundwork for both major Kauai marches in 2013.

I am heavily involved in advancing community conversations and involvement to better engage our community on a broader scale relating to issues that matter to local families. Solutions and actions relating to access, increasing local food production and environmental and marine preservation have been my primary focus over the last four years.

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

I am committed to our community with the strength and integrity to stand up and create the changes we need. I remain grounded in my core values of environment and culture. Born, raised, graduating school and working in District 14, I connect strongly to the core issues facing our community.

What makes you qualified to be a state representative?

I am committed to the future of Kauai, our environment, our community and to transparency and integrity based decision-making. I have years of people and project management experience and am motivated to inspire positive changes in our community and preserve our unique home and way of life.

Gov. Ige says he will once again propose increases to the state gas tax, vehicle weight tax and state registration fees to help pay for state road projects. Do you support his proposal?

Cost of living is extremely high. Increases in taxes on necessities like fuel put already struggling families closure to the poverty line. We need to better manage funds for road projects and carefully consider what taxes we are raising and the families they impact.

If the Legislature is again asked to extend Oahu’s half-percent excise tax surcharge to finance construction or operation of the rail system, would you support such an extension?

I cannot support another extension without serious investigations into the irresponsible management of the rail budget. Taxpayers shouldn’t be held responsible for the failure to stay within budget. Extending the surcharge is an option we should consider only after all other funding and cost-cutting efforts have been exhausted.

Should the state play a role in cracking down on illegal vacation rentals in Hawaii?

Vacation rentals outside of appropriate zoning are pushing up the cost of living for local families throughout our district. I support county initiatives to control the location of these rentals and support the state should working along side county departments to help them address illegal vacation rentals.

Should the Legislature require that police officers in Hawaii use “body cameras,” and help to fund the use of those cameras?

Yes, I support the use of “body cameras” throughout the state because I understand that they will assist to keep both police officers and community members safe and accountable.

Dozens of police officers in Hawaii are disciplined each year for committing crimes or violating departmental policies, but little information is released about the officers or their cases. Do you think there needs to be greater public disclosure?

Yes, we need greater public disclosure. I understand the need to protect the safety of officers and their families also and that in some cases confidentiality is needed. However, I strongly support disclosure and believe steps can be taken to establish greater disclosure and still provide confidentiality where needed.