E komo mai!

Aloha,

Thank you for taking an interest in my website and the Hawai'i State Legislature. Your participation is vital to the success of good government, and I hope that you will find the contents of this website informative and helpful.  In these difficult economic times, there is one way to ensure that our State can remain economically, environmentally, and socially healthy: by developing our renewable resources to make Hawaii energy independent and secure.  This will create new, well-paying jobs and stimulate a green industry. 

While this is a major focus, there are also many other issues of importance before our Legislature, including education, taxes, and our economy.  Please click to see winners and losers from the last Legislative Session, and download a copy of my 2012 Legislative Report.

Renewable Energy: Hawai'i is poised to lead the nation in the use of renewable energy sources. We are uniquely blessed with sun, wind, and ocean resources, which can be converted into energy to power our homes and businesses. As Ranking Member on the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee, I have co-sponsored successful legislation to reduce Hawaii’s dependency on fossil fuel by utilizing local, renewable energy sources. I want to position Hawai`i as an innovator and leader in this area by strengthening and expanding our renewable energy industry, thereby protecting our environment, decreasing our vulnerability to international crises, lowering energy costs, and creating an additional, sustainable job market.

Education: Good schools, equipped with the resources they need and supported by the communities that use them, are essential to the growth of our keiki and shape the character of our society. To this end, I work with students at local schools every year during my Legislative Roadshow, discussing legislation that will affect them and taking their responses back to the Legislature. I support reducing the teacher-to-student ratio, giving students and teachers the books and equipment they need, and have even physically joined in to renovate classrooms.

Taxes and the Economy: High prices and increased taxes are hurting our residents, escalating property taxes being a prime example. Hawai`i is among the most heavily taxed communities in the nation, and therefore I have co-sponsored legislation to alleviate the tax burden on our working families and retirees. The general excise tax on food and over-the-counter health care supplies should be eliminated. We are building support in the Legislature for this tax relief.

I firmly believe in the original intent of our legislative system: that we, as legislators, serve as representatives of the people and stewards of our communities. Therefore I encourage my constituents to communicate their concerns and ideas, in order that I may better work with you to achieve your goals. By taking an active role in the workings of the Legislature, you can truly affect the shaping of Hawaii’s laws by making your voice heard. So, e komo mai, and may we work together to ensure a better future for Hawai'i.

With warm aloha,

Representative Cynthia Thielen

Representative Cynthia Thielen • State Capitol, Room 443 • 415 South Beretania Street • Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 • Phone: (808) 586-6480