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Full Name: Cynthia Henry Thielen
Name on Ballot: Cynthia Thielen
Age: 82
Political Party: Republican
Running For: House
District: 50
Email Address: cthielen@aloha.net
Current Job: State legislator; land use/environmental attorney (retired)
Place of birth: Los Angeles
Campaign website: votecynthiathielen.com
Job history past 10 years: Hawaii House of Representatives
Ever run for public office? If so, when? Outcome?
In 1990, I ran for state House and have served in the House of Representatives ever since.
Other civic experience or community service?
Former: board chairwoman and one of founders, Children’s Discovery Center; started Honolulu Zoo Show & Tell children’s program; vice chairwoman, Kailua Neighborhood Board; Board of National Conference of Environmental Legislators; Hemp Industries Association; chairwoman of Mayor’s (Fasi) Task Force on the Environment; member Reorganization Commission, City & County of Honolulu (Fasi administration)
Anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
Worked successfully to allow farmers to grow industrial hemp, a non-hallucinogenic crop with 25,000 products, including termite-proof building materials, health products, human and animal feed. Brought international wave energy converter firms to Hawaii for our world-leading off-shore energy sources; two WEC devices now in water.
What makes you qualified to be a representative?
Experience, legal education, energetic leadership result in my co-sponsoring myriad of bills to promote renewable energy goals, help our environment, and work to lower cost of living for families. Former co-chairwoman of Legislative Women’s Caucus, where we passed bills to prevent domestic violence, bullying, and curb human trafficking.
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. Families are struggling with higher costs of living, and I do not support tax increases.
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?
No, I do not support an extension of the rail tax. I voted against the rail tax increase originally and its extension in 2016.
Should the state play a role in cracking down on illegal vacation rentals in Hawaii?
Yes, as City and County of Honolulu has proven inadequate in addressing this growing issue. Homes are taken out of the rental market primarily by offshore investors, resulting in less housing available for our local residents. Neighborhoods are turned into mini-hotel areas, harming quality of life for locals.
Should the Legislature require that police officers in Hawaii use “body cameras,” and help to fund the use of those cameras?
I would like to hear more about pros and cons of this idea and how well it works in other jurisdictions before deciding. If the idea is meritorious, then yes the state should help to fund the use, and could do so by letting traffic ticket money go to city.
Dozens of police officers throughout the state 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, and our Legislative Women’s Caucus promoted legislation to provide more openness. We need to continue this effort in 2017.
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