Simone Lawson
The Hawaii State Constitution, also known as the Kumukānāwai o Hawaiʻi, is the fundamental governing document of the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi. It establishes the principles and framework of government, enumerates the rights and freedoms of Hawaiian citizens, and serves as the supreme law of the state. The current Hawaii Constitution, which has been amended 117 times, was framed by a Constitutional Convention in 1949 and adopted by popular ballot on November 7, 1950. It was amended in 1959 when three propositions were adopted by the people, and it went into effect on August 21, 1959, when Hawaii officially became a U.S. state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date written | First drafted in 1949 |
| Date adopted | 7 November 1950 |
| Date amended | 27 June 1959 |
| Date ratified | 18 March 1959 |
| Date went into effect | 21 August 1959 |
| Date of most recent amendments | 5 November 2024 |
| Number of amendments | 117 |
| Number of articles | 18 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The Hawaii State Constitution was framed by a Constitutional Convention in 1949
- It was adopted by the people of Hawaii in 1950
- The constitution was amended in 1959, when Hawaii became a state
- It has been amended several times since, most recently in 2024
- The document establishes the rights and freedoms of Hawaiian citizens
The Hawaii State Constitution was framed by a Constitutional Convention in 1949
The Hawaii State Constitution, also known as the Constitution of the State of Hawaii, was framed by a Constitutional Convention in 1949. The Hawaii Constitution is the fundamental governing document of the U.S. state of Hawaii. It establishes the principles and framework of government, enumerates the rights and freedoms of Hawaiian citizens, and serves as the supreme law of the state.
The Hawaii State Constitution is unique in that it reflects the state's distinct history and cultural heritage. Notably, it establishes protections for the environment, public wellness, and Native Hawaiians. Additionally, Hawaii's local governmental structure differs from other U.S. states, with only two levels of government: the state and the four counties, each with a mayor and a council. There are no municipal governments.
The Hawaii State Constitution was drafted under Act 334, Session Laws of Hawaii 1949, and was initially adopted by the people through a referendum on November 7, 1950. However, it underwent amendments before being accepted, ratified, and confirmed by Congress on March 18, 1959. The amended version of the constitution took effect on August 21, 1959, upon the issuance of a presidential proclamation admitting Hawaii into the Union.
Since its inception, the Hawaii State Constitution has been amended numerous times. The most significant changes occurred in 1978, with 34 amendments proposed and passed at the Constitutional Convention. These amendments redefined the relationship between citizens and the government, imposed term limits for state office holders, mandated an annual balanced budget, and established the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to address the wrongs perpetrated against Native Hawaiians.
The Hawaii State Constitution, with its current 18 articles, continues to be a living document, evolving to meet the needs and aspirations of the people of Hawaii.
The Unwritten Canadian Constitution: A Unique Legacy
You may want to see also
It was adopted by the people of Hawaii in 1950
The Hawaii State Constitution, also known as the Kumukānāwai o Hawaiʻi in Hawaiian, is the fundamental governing document of the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi. It establishes the principles and framework of government, enumerates the rights and freedoms of Hawaiian citizens, and serves as the supreme law of the state.
The current Hawaii Constitution was framed by a Constitutional Convention under Act 334, Session Laws of Hawaii 1949. It was then adopted by the people of Hawaii on November 7, 1950, through a popular ballot. This version of the constitution was amended in 1959 and underwent further amendments in 1968 and 1978. The most recent amendments to the constitution were made in 2024.
The Hawaii State Constitution is unique in that it reflects the state's history and cultural heritage. It establishes protections for the environment, public wellness, and Native Hawaiians. The governmental structure in Hawaii is also distinct from other U.S. states, with only two levels of government: the state and four counties, each with a mayor and a council.
The Hawaii State Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights, which provides that "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." The preamble to the constitution reaffirms the belief in a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, with an understanding and compassionate heart toward all peoples of the earth.
The constitution has been amended numerous times since its adoption in 1950 to adapt to the changing needs and values of the people of Hawaii. These amendments have been made through proposals adopted by the legislature or by constitutional convention and ratified by popular vote.
God and the Constitution: A Complex Relationship
You may want to see also
The constitution was amended in 1959, when Hawaii became a state
The Hawaii State Constitution is the fundamental governing document of the U.S. state of Hawaii. It establishes the principles and framework of government, enumerates the rights and freedoms of Hawaiian citizens, and serves as the supreme law of the state. The current Hawaii Constitution, which was adopted by voters on June 27, 1959, is the state's first and only constitution.
The history of Hawaii's governance is unique. Prior to U.S. annexation in 1900, Hawaii was governed by several constitutions during its period as a sovereign kingdom and short-lived transitional republic. The current constitution was adopted by referendum in 1950, but it was amended in 1959 when Hawaii officially became a state of the Union. This amendment process is similar to that of the federal constitution, requiring a proposal by constitutional convention or the legislature.
The Hawaii Constitution has been amended several times since 1959 to reflect the state's evolving needs and priorities. The amendment process is not initiated by the citizens of Hawaii but rather by the legislature or a constitutional convention. This means that amendments are proposed by elected officials or delegates at a constitutional convention and then ratified by the people of Hawaii through a vote.
The Hawaii Constitution has a unique structure with 18 articles, each covering different aspects of governance and citizen rights. For example, Article I is entitled "Bill of Rights," Article II is "Suffrage and Elections," and Article XI is "Conservation, Control and Development of Resources." The document also establishes protections for the environment, public wellness, and Native Hawaiians, reflecting the state's cultural heritage.
Hawaii's governmental structure is also distinct from other U.S. states, with only two levels of government: the state and four counties, each with a mayor and a council. This structure further emphasizes the state's commitment to local control and citizen participation in governance, as outlined in its constitution.
Malta's Constitution: Written or Unwritten?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Publication No. 1. Archives of Hawaii. Roster, Legislatures of Hawaii, 1841-1918: Constitutions of Monarchy and Republic, Speeches of Sovereigns and President. [Honolulu-1918]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41TTExIS24L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
It has been amended several times since, most recently in 2024
The Hawaii State Constitution has been amended several times since its adoption in 1950. The most recent amendments were approved by voters on 5 November 2024. These amendments, HB 2802 and SB 2927, will be included in the printed copies of the 2025 Cumulative Supplement for the Hawaii Revised Statutes.
The Hawaii Constitution has been amended 117 times since 1950. The process of amending the constitution is similar to that of the federal constitution, requiring a proposal by constitutional convention or by the legislature. Amendments are then put on the ballot and approved by voters.
The amendments made in 2024 include a section on public access to information concerning persons convicted of certain offences against children and certain sexual offences. This section grants the public a right to access registration information regarding such offenders. The legislature will determine the specifics of this provision, including which offences are subject to it, what information constitutes registration information, the manner of public access, and the conditions under which a convicted person may petition for termination of public access.
The Hawaii State Constitution is the fundamental governing document of the U.S. state of Hawaii. It establishes the principles and framework of government, enumerates the rights and freedoms of Hawaiian citizens, and serves as the supreme law of the state. The constitution reflects the state's unique history and cultural heritage, establishing protections for the environment, public wellness, and Native Hawaiians.
Israel's Constitution: Written or Unwritten?
You may want to see also
The document establishes the rights and freedoms of Hawaiian citizens
The Constitution of the State of Hawaii, also known as the Hawaii State Constitution, is the fundamental governing document of the US state of Hawaii. It establishes the principles and framework of government, enumerates the rights and freedoms of Hawaiian citizens, and serves as the supreme law of the state.
The document consists of a preamble and 18 articles, each addressing different aspects of governance and citizen rights. The preamble, which was amended in 1978, reaffirms the belief in a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, with an understanding and compassionate heart toward all peoples of the earth.
Article I, entitled "Bill of Rights," is a twenty-point (or twenty-five-point, according to another source) section that outlines the inherent and inalienable rights of all persons. These rights include the enjoyment of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as well as the acquisition and possession of property. It also emphasizes the equality of rights, stating that equality shall not be denied or abridged by the state on account of sex.
Article II, "Suffrage and Elections," consists of nine sections that outline the rights and processes related to voting and elections. Article III, "The Legislature," contains 19 sections detailing the structure and functions of the legislative branch of the government.
The Hawaii State Constitution also includes provisions for public access to information regarding persons convicted of certain offenses against children and sexual offenses. This ensures transparency and access to justice for the public.
The constitution has been amended numerous times since its adoption, with the most recent amendments being included in the 2025 Cumulative Supplement for the Hawaii Revised Statutes. These amendments reflect the unique history and cultural heritage of Hawaii, including protections for the environment, public wellness, and Native Hawaiians.
The Founding Fathers and the Constitution: Who Wrote It?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Hawaii State Constitution was framed by a Constitutional Convention in 1949 and adopted by the people in an election on November 7, 1950.
The Hawaii State Constitution is the fundamental governing document of the U.S. state of Hawaii. It establishes the principles and framework of government and enumerates the rights and freedoms of Hawaiian citizens.
At close to 21,500 words, the Hawaii State Constitution is nearly five times longer than the U.S. Constitution, but shorter than the average state constitution.
