Full Name: Kathryn Henski

Name on Ballot: Kathryn Henski

Age: 66

Political Party: Republican

Running For: House

District: 22 Waikiki, Ala Moana

Email Address: electkathrynhenski@gmail.com

Current Job: Retired

Place of birth: Cleveland, Ohio

Campaign website: www.electkathrynhenski.com

Job history past 10 years:

Former owner, Sweetwater Kate restaurant, A Bed of Roses art gallery. Invented and holds patent on telemedicine system. Sterling Vision Systems

Ever run for public office? If so, when? Outcome?: 1978 District 5- City Council Republican nominee. (Kathryn Lee Stark)

Other civic experience or community service?

Waikiki Rotary; Hawaiian Historical Foundation Grassroots Institute of Hawaii; Bicycle League: Outdoor Circle; Oahu League of Republican Women; Board officer of Taylor Symphony Orchestra; President, O.P.A.E International Seafood; Outer Island Campaign Manager for 1980 Ronald Reagan Presidential Campaign; Advisory Board Member for the University of Alaska.

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

I have owned and operated a shelter for the homeless (self-funded) which sheltered, fed, rehoused and found employment for 2,000 men, women and children in three-year period. We have fostered 35 medically fragile children in the past10 years.

What makes you qualified to be a state representative?

Having owned several small businesses, I have been responsible for employee hiring, payrolls and benefits. This has taught me the careful use of money, a much needed attribute in government. Listening, responding and working with others is important to me. A desire to serve others and a can do attitude has been my life long work.

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?

No. The residents of Hawaii are already burdened with a high cost of living. Additional taxes are unnecessary. There has been money set aside for road repairs, bicycle lanes and park repairs which has either not been used or has been used for other projects.

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 have pledged NOT to raise taxes. The rail system is over 1.5 billion dollars in debt and to ask for even more tax money is unacceptable.

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

If the rentals are illegal, they need to be brought up to state standards. We do not want the tourists leaving with a negative view of our great state of Hawaii.

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

I strongly support having police body cameras in order to ensure accountability and mitigate questions during police brutality cases. I also support minimum standards and training for officers. If elected, I will support and introduce legislation that will keep our police officers 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. Public disclosure is necessary for both the public and the police. We must eliminate the disclosure exemptions for the violations of the law. Our police officers must be held to the highest standards of ethics in order to serve the people they have sworn to serve and protect.