Kirstin Kahaloa
{{Short description|American politician}}{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Kirstin Kahaloa
| image = File:Kirstin Kahaloa.jpg
| caption = Kahaloa in 2024
| state_house = Hawaii
| district = 6th
| term_start = November 8, 2022
| term_end =
| predecessor = Constituency established
| successor =
| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|39|2022|9|6}}{{cite news |title=Candidate Q&A: State House District 6 — Kirstin Kahaloa |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2022/09/candidate-qa-state-house-district-6-kirstin-kahaloa/ |access-date=7 November 2023 |work=Honolulu Civil Beat |date=6 September 2022}}
| birth_place =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality = American
| party = Democratic
| spouse =
| children = 1
| residence = Holualoa, Hawaii Island
| alma_mater = University of Evansville
Webster University
| profession =
| religion =
| website = {{URL|kahaloaforkona.com}}
}}
Kirstin A. K. Kahaloa is an American politician serving in the Hawaii House of Representatives for the 6th district (Honaunau, Captain Cook, Kealakekua, Keauhou, Holualoa, Kailua-Kona). She won the seat in the 2022 election against Republican opponent Jonathan Kennealy, as part of the largest freshman class in the House in decades.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-19 |title=Candidate Q&A: State House District 6 — Kirstin Kahaloa |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/07/candidate-qa-state-house-district-6-kirstin-kahaloa-2/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Honolulu Civil Beat |language=en}}
Early life and education
Kahaloa was born and raised on Hawaii Island and graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 2001.
Career
Kahaloa worked as executive director of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, legislative aide to Senator Dru Kanuha, community engagement lead for the Blue Zones Project, portfolio manager - sustainable industry development for Kamehameha Schools, and most recently as director of programs and partnerships for the 'Iole Global Resiliency Hub.{{cite web |title=Experience |url=https://www.kahaloaforkona.com/experience |website=Kirstin for Kahaloa |access-date=26 June 2023}}{{Cite news |author=Laura Ruminski |date=January 1, 2019 |title=Project volunteers clean up trash, park in Hanalo |url=https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2019/01/01/community/project-volunteers-clean-up-trash-park-in-hanalo/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |newspaper=Hawaii Tribune-Herald |language=en-US}}
= Hawaii House of Representatives =
Kahaloa's priorities including improving access to health care and advocating for agricultural needs.{{Cite news |date=2023-01-17 |title=Meet some of the fresh faces at the Hawaiʻi State Legislature |url=https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2023-01-17/meet-some-of-the-fresh-faces-at-the-hawaii-state-legislature |access-date=2024-08-05 |work=Hawaiʻi Public Radio |language=en}}
During the 32nd Hawaii State Legislature, she worked with Senator Dru Kanuha and Representative Nicole Lowen to prioritize over $18 million in funding for upgrades to the Kona Community Hospital.{{Cite web |title=Hawaiʻi Island lawmakers secure funding for Kona Community Hospital infrastructure upgrades |website=Big Island Now |url=https://bigislandnow.com/2023/04/27/hawaii-island-lawmakers-secure-funding-for-kona-community-hospital-infrastructure-upgrades/ |access-date=2024-08-05}} Kahaloa also introduced an agricultural labeling bill to protect macadamia nut farmers; the bill was approved by the legislature.{{Cite news |date=2024-05-15 |title=Lawmakers approve measure to enforce transparency within macadamia nut industry |url=https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2024-05-15/lawmakers-approve-measure-to-enforce-transparency-within-macadamia-nut-industry |access-date=2024-08-05 |work=Hawaiʻi Public Radio |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Ballotpedia|Kirstin_Kahaloa}}
- [https://www.kahaloaforkona.com/ Campaign website]
- [https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/legislature/memberpage.aspx?member=264&year=2023 Legislative website]
{{Hawaii House of Representatives}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kahaloa, Kirstin}}
Category:Democratic Party members of the Hawaii House of Representatives
Category:21st-century members of the Hawaii State Legislature
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Native Hawaiian women in politics
Category:21st-century American women politicians
Category:Women state legislators in Hawaii
Category:Asian American and Pacific Islander state legislators in Hawaii
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