Hawai‘i State Ethics Commission

Date Established: The Hawaii State Ethics Commission was established in January 1968.

Appointment of Commissioners: The Commission has five members who must be selected in a manner which assures their independence and impartiality in accordance with Article XIV of the Hawaii State Constitution. The Judicial Council nominates two individuals for each vacancy on the Commission. The nominees’ names are sent to the Governor, who selects one of the nominees for appointment. Senate confirmation of appointees is not required.

Term of Office: A commissioner’s term of office is four years. No person may be appointed consecutively to more than two terms on the Commission.

Qualifications/Restrictions: A commissioner must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Hawaii. Commissioners may not hold any other public office. Commissioners may not take an active part in political management or in political campaigns during their terms of office.

No Compensation: Commissioners serve without compensation but are allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance their duties.

COMMISSIONERS

 

Wesley F. Fong is an attorney and an adjunct professor teaching law and ethics at the University of Hawaii. Previously, he was a Staff Counsel for Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company; a Supervising Deputy Attorney General for the State of Hawaii in charge of the Tort Litigation Division; and a Senior Deputy Corporation Counsel for the City and County of Honolulu in charge of the Trials Division. Mr. Fong is a graduate of the University of Illinois School of Law and the University of Hawaii. A Vietnam veteran, he retired as a Colonel, U.S Army and his military awards include the Legion of Merit and two Bronze Star Medals. He is the Chair of his Neighborhood Board and served as a Commissioner on several City Commissions and President of many community organizations. He is also the recipient of the national Jefferson Award for Public Service and the Distinguished University of Hawaii Alumni Award.

Mr. Fong’s term on the Commission ends on June 30, 2026.

 

 

Beverley Tobias is the former Director of Occupational Health and Safety for Stanford and Packard Hospital, as the Director of Environmental Health and Safety for Solectron Corporation, and as the Nursing Supervisor for Kaiser Foundation Hospital. She is a retired Captain in the United States Army Nurse Corps, and is a Certified Case Manager (CCM), Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN-S), and a Fellow in the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Belleville College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science from San Jose State University, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University. She currently volunteers as an American Red Cross Master Trainer and Disaster Volunteer.

Ms. Tobias’ term on the Commission ends on June 30, 2025.

 

 

Dr. Robert Hong is a retired clinical cardiologist and a professor at the John A. Burns School of Medicine. Dr. Hong completed his undergraduate degree from Stanford University in 1977 and received his doctorate in Medicine at the University of California – San Francisco in 1981. Among many professional accomplishments, Dr. Hong is notable for creating the first ACGME-certified postgraduate fellowship in cardiovascular disease in the State of Hawai‘i in 2010, and receiving the Peter C.P. Char Excellence in Education, Program Director’s Award in 2013 and 2016. He retired in 2022 after 35 years of practicing medicine and holding numerous medical administrative positions.

Dr. Hong’s term on the Commission ends on June 30, 2026.

 

 

Cynthia Thielen served in the Hawai‘i State House of Representatives for 30 years (1990 to 2020). She served as minority floor leader from 1992 to 1997 and was the assistant minority leader at the time of her retirement. Commissioner Thielen graduated from the University of Hawai‘i School of Law, and was a founding member of the law review program. During her lengthy service to the State of Hawai‘i, she received many awards including “Outstanding Lawmaker of the Year for 1999,” presented by Small Business Hawai‘i, and the Sierra Club of Hawai‘i “Lifetime Achievement” award.

Ms. Thielen’s term on the Commission ends on June 30, 2027.