About Nicole

Future State Representative! Nicole at age 3.

Future State Representative! Nicole at age 3.

A resident of Kailua-Kona for 3 decades, Nicole has been serving as your State Representative since 2012. Nicole was born on the mainland, but moved overseas as a baby. She grew up abroad moving from country to country every few years due to her parents’ career in the foreign service. She found her home on Hawaii Island in 1996. 

Before becoming involved in local politics, Nicole was a teacher and school administrator at Hawaii Montessori School in Kona.

Teaching at Hawaii Montessori School in 1998

Teaching at Hawaii Montessori School in 1998

Nicole first became involved in politics while in graduate school studying planning and environmental policy.  In 2012, she worked at the State Legislature and had the opportunity to see government in action in person. After working at the legislature, it became clear that government must be changed from the inside and made more transparent and accountable. With the encouragement of colleagues, friends, and family, Nicole made the leap and decided to run for office.

Experience and Education

Experience:

  • State Representative since 2012

    • Current positions held in the Hawaii State House

      • Chair, Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection

      • Member, Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection

      • Member, Committee on Agriculture

      • Co-Chair, House Special Committee on Red Hill

      • Founder and Chair, Hawaii Environmental Legislative Caucus

    • Past positions held in the Hawaii State House

      • Chair, Grants-in-Aid (sub-committee of Finance Committee)

      • Majority Whip

      • Vice Chair, Committee on Energy and Environment

      • Vice Chair, Committee on Water and Land

      • Vice Chair, Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources and Hawaiian Affairs

      • Member, Committee on Finance

      • Member, Committee on Water and Land

      • Member, Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs

  • Member of the Hawaii Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, 2019-Present

  • Member of the Hawaii Sea Grant Advisory Committee, 2019-Present

  • Council of State Governments West, Co-Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee

  • National Conference of State Legislatures, Member of the Energy Supply Task Force

  • Member of the US Department of Energy’s Electricity Advisory Committee, 2020-2024

  • Member of the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, 2015-2023

  • Legislative Researcher/Committee Clerk, Hawaii State Legislature, 2012

  • Teaching Assistant, University of Hawaii Department of Urban and Regional Planning, 2011

  • Policy Researcher, University of Hawaii Department of Urban and Regional Planning, 2009-20011

  • Legislative Liaison, University of Hawaii Environmental Center, 2009-2010

  • Teacher/Office Manager, Hawaii Montessori School of Kona, 1996--2007

  • Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter Executive Committee Member, 2012-2014

  • Sierra Club Capitol Watch Volunteer, 2011-2012

  • Ke Kai Ola Advisory Board Member, 2016-2017

Education:

  • University of Pennsylvania, BA in US History

  • University of Hawaii at Manoa, MA in Urban Planning

  • University of Hawaii at Manoa, Graduate Certificate in Disaster Management

  • Legislative Energy Horizon Institute, Energy Policy Planning Program, University of Idaho

  • Certificate in Public Leadership, College of Arts and Sciences, University of San Francisco