Constitution of the State of Hawaii

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PREAMBLE

We, the people of Hawaii, grateful for Divine Guidance, and mindful of our Hawaiian heritage and uniqueness as an island State, dedicate our efforts to fulfill the philosophy decreed by the Hawaii State motto, "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono."

We reserve the right to control our destiny, to nurture the integrity of our people and culture, and to preserve the quality of life that we desire.

We reaffirm our belief in a government of the people, by the people and for the people, and with an understanding and compassionate heart toward all the peoples of the earth, do hereby ordain and establish this constitution for the State of Hawaii. [Am Const Con 1978 and election Nov 7, 1978]

FEDERAL CONSTITUTION ADOPTED

The Constitution of the United States of America is adopted on behalf of the people of the State of Hawaii.

Article I Bill of Rights

  1. Political power
  2. Rights of individuals
  3. Equality of rights
  4. Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition
  5. Due process and equal protection
  6. Right to privacy
  7. Searches, seizures and invasion of privacy
  8. Rights of citizens
  9. Enlistment; segregation
  10. Indictment; preliminary hearing, double jeopardy; self-incrimination
  11. Grand jury counsel
  12. Bail; excessive punishment
  13. Trial by jury, civil cases
  14. Rights of accused
  15. Habeas corpus and suspension of laws
  16. Supremacy of civil power
  17. Right to bear arms
  18. Quartering of soldiers
  19. Imprisonment for debt
  20. Eminent domain
  21. Limitations of special privileges
  22. Construction
  23. Marriage
  24. Public access to information concerning persons convicted of certain offenses against children and certain sexual offenses
  25. Sexual assault crimes against minors

Article II Suffrage and Elections

  1. Qualifications
  2. Disqualification
  3. Residence
  4. Registration; voting
  5. Campaign fund, spending limit
  6. Campaign contributions limits
  7. Resignation from public office
  8. General, special and primary elections
  9. Presidential preference primary

Article III The Legislature

  1. Legislature power
  2. Composition of senate
  3. Composition of house of representatives
  4. Election of members; term
  5. Vacancies
  6. Qualifications of members
  7. Privileges of members
  8. Disqualifications of members
  9. Salary; allowances; commission on legislative salary
  10. Sessions
  11. Adjournment
  12. Organization; discipline; rules; procedure
  13. Quorum; compulsory attendance
  14. Bills; enactment
  15. Passage of bills
  16. Approval or veto Reconsideration after adjournment
  17. Procedures upon veto
  18. Punishment of nonmembers
  19. Impeachment

Article IV Reapportionment

  1. Reapportionment years
  2. Reapportionment commission
  3. Chief election officer
  4. Apportionment among basic island units
  5. Minimum representation for basic island units
  6. Apportionment within basic island units
  7. Election of senators after reapportionment
  8. Staggered terms for the senate
  9. Congressional redistricting for United States house of representatives
  10. Mandamus and judicial review

Article V The Executive

  1. Establishment of the executive
  2. Lieutenant governor
  3. Compensation: governor, lieutenant governor
  4. Succession to governorship; absence or disability of governor
  5. Executive powers
  6. Executive and administrative offices and department

Article VI The Judiciary

  1. Judicial power
  2. Supreme court; intermediate appellate court; circuit courts
  3. Appointment of justices and judges Qualifications for appointment
  4. Tenure; compensation; retirement
  5. Judicial selection commission
  6. Retirement; removal; discipline
  7. Administration
  8. Rules

Article VII Taxation and Finance

  1. Taxing power inalienable
  2. Income taxation
  3. Tax review commission
  4. Appropriations for private purposes prohibited
  5. Expenditure controls
  6. Disposition of excess revenues
  7. Council on revenues
  8. The budget
  9. Legislative appropriations; procedures; expenditure ceiling General fund expenditure ceiling
  10. Auditor
  11. Lapsing of appropriation
  12. Definitions; issuance of indebtedness
  13. Debt limit; exclusions

Article VIII Local Government

  1. Creation; powers of political subdivisions
  2. Local self-government; charter
  3. Taxation and finance
  4. Mandates; accrued claims
  5. Transfer of mandated programs
  6. Statewide laws

Article IX Public Health and Welfare

  1. Public health
  2. Care of handicapped persons
  3. Public assistance
  4. Economic security of the elderly
  5. Housing, slum clearance, development and rehabilitation
  6. Management of state population growth
  7. Public sightliness and good order
  8. Preservation of a healthful environment
  9. Cultural resources
  10. Public safety

Article X Education

  1. Public education
  2. Board of education
  3. Power of the board of education
  4. Hawaii education program
  5. University of Hawaii
  6. Board of regents; powers

Article XI Conservation, Control and Development of Resources

  1. Conservation and development of resources
  2. Management and disposition of natural resources
  3. Agricultural lands
  4. Public land banking
  5. General laws required; exceptions
  6. Marine resources
  7. Water resources
  8. Nuclear energy
  9. Environmental rights
  10. Farm and home ownership

Article XII Hawaiian Affairs

  1. Hawaiian Homes Commission Act
  2. Acceptance of compact
  3. Compact adoption; procedures after adoption
  4. Public trust
  5. Office of Hawaiian Affairs; establishment of board of trustees
  6. Powers of board of trustees
  7. Traditional and customary rights

Article XIII Organization; Collective Bargaining

  1. Private employees
  2. Public employees

Article XIV Code of Ethics

Article XV State Boundaries; Capital; Flag; Language and Motto

  1. Boundaries
  2. Capital
  3. State flag
  4. Official languages
  5. Motto

Article XVI General and Miscellaneous Provisions

  1. Civil service
  2. Employees' retirement system
  3. Disqualifications from public office or employment
  4. Oath of office
  5. Intergovernmental relations
  6. Federal lands
  7. Compliance with trust
  8. Administration of undisposed lands
  9. Tax exemption of federal property
  10. Hawaii national park
  11. Judicial rights
  12. Quieting title
  13. Plain language
  14. Titles, subtitles; construction
  15. General power
  16. Provisions are self-executing

Article XVII Revision and Amendment

  1. Methods of proposal
  2. Constitutional convention Election of delegates
  3. Meeting
  4. Organization; procedure
  5. Ratification; appropriations
  6. Amendments proposed by legislature
  7. Veto
  8. Conflicting revisions or amendments

Article XVIII Schedule

  1. Districting and apportionment
  2. 1978 Senatorial elections
  3. Salaries of legislators
  4. Effective date for term limitations for governor and lieutenant governor
  5. Judiciary: transition; effective date
  6. Effective date and application of real property tax transfer
  7. 1978 Board of education elections
  8. Effective date for Office of Hawaiian Affairs
  9. Continuity of laws
  10. Debts
  11. Residence, other qualifications

See online at Hawaii.gov


Resources

CPS Survey

If you or someone you know has been involved with Hawaii's Department of Child Welfare Services (regardless of what island you're on), please take a survey HERE.

If you are not in Hawaii but would like to participate, take the survey here.