Name on ballot:

Theodene Allen

Running for:

State House – District 34

Political party:

Republican

Campaign website:

www.allenforhawaii.com

Current occupation:

Admin assistant

Age:

45

Previous job history:

BDR, Advocate, Transition Counselor, food service management

Previous elected office, if any:

n/a

Please describe your qualifications to represent the people of Hawaii.

Willing to listen to constituents, enjoy researching issues, open minded, spend time weighing options/solutions

What is the most pressing issue facing residents in your district and how would you address the problem?

Neighborhood crime: Develop a program to encourage HPD’s Neighborhood Safety Watch along with a sell/trade homegrown produce/items so residents have an opportunity to get to know one another better, resulting in a tighter knit community.

Rising inflation has significantly worsened Hawaii’s already high cost of living. What can be done at the state level to help Hawaii residents cope with high consumer prices?

Having the Jones Act Reformation waived, residents willing to share their extras (part of the sell/trade mentioned above)

Hawaii’s rising gasoline prices are among the highest in the nation. Should Hawaii lower or temporarily suspend state taxes on gasoline to help ease the pain at the pump?

Suspend state taxes on gasoline for at least a year

Do you support or oppose efforts to slow or limit the number of tourists to Hawaii? Please explain.

In order for Hawaii tourism to regain traction, I oppose efforts to slow or limit the number of tourists.

Can Hawaii’s tourism-dependent economy be diversified, and, if so, what can state government do to support the effort?


State government could encourage tourists to learn more about Hawaii’s history through more hands-on activities like working in a lo’i patch or herding sheep, plant trees or hunt deer. Have the tourists not just boost the economy, but help restore the land.

What is your plan to increase affordable housing in Hawaii, and to help the counties deal with homelessness?

In order to increase affordable housing, Hawaii needs to limit/stop out of state property ownership. Many properties are owned by people who don’t even live in the islands.

What would you propose to help protect Hawaii residents’ health during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic?

I would propose that there be a promotion to eat and live healthy. Educate residents on the importance of eating a proper nutrition and how it can benefit immunity and inflammation, which are some of the roots of disease. Also, embolden people to get out and move; exercise! Fellowship and spirituality are great to integrate into lifestyles, too.

Hawaii isn’t likely to see a repeat of this year’s $2 billion revenue surplus which allowed higher-than-normal spending on state programs and projects. If elected, what will your top spending priorities be?

Top spending priorities would include infrastructure (more sustainable roadways), creating community gardens where residents can do their own gardening if their yard does now allow it, and increasing public teacher salaries specifically to teach basic education (penmanship, reading, writing, math, language arts, science, social studies, physical education) only.

What, if anything, should state government do in response to the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe vs Wade?

State government should add this to the election ballot, asking voters if they agree or disagree with abortion, then go from there.

What should state government do to support and improve public education in Hawaii?

Public education in Hawaii can only get better if schools were not run by the state, but by region or district or county instead.

What reforms, if any, would you propose to make local government more transparent to the public?

I propose local government be proactive in communicating with their constituents, including precinct Zoom meetings or in-person gatherings where voters are invited to attend to discuss upcoming issues before it reaches the House floor.

Do you support or oppose the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on the Big Island and why?

In all honesty, I can see both arguments; understand both sides. While I see TMT as being beneficial to learn about the skies around us, but it would require dismantling of 5 of 13 working observatories. With a few scheduled to be dismantled at the end of 2022, the land will not be able to be restored to it’s original condition, which TMT promises would happen when TMT is removed. There has been much research and studies done for this extremely large observatory. I think this issue needs to be included on the 2022 election ballot as well.

Is there anything more that you would like voters to know about you?

I love reading historical fiction and romantic comedies, let’s have district book clubs (one for every genre)!