Convening a Constitutional Convention in Hawai`i
"Ultimately, our citizens will make the
best decision for Hawai`i's future."
- Lt. Governor James R. "Duke" Aiona, Jr.
Lt. Governor James R. "Duke" Aiona, Jr. led an 11-member task force of community, government and legislative officials to provide the public with accurate and credible information in advance of its decision in the 2008 General Election on whether to assemble a constitutional convention. The Constitutional Convention Cost Task Force, by design, took a comprehensive, non-partisan and transparent approach to focus on the projected cost range of holding a constitutional convention.
The task force held seven public Task Force meetings and numerous subcommittee meetings since May 30, and made available its findings in a public report on August 1, 2008.
Read the Constitutional Convention Cost Task Force
FINAL REPORT
(Click on the link above to read the final report)
On November 4, 2008, Hawai`i voters will be asked, “Shall there be a convention to propose a revision of or amendments to the Constitution?" It is a decision that will have a lasting impact on the future of Hawai‘i because our constitution represents the fundamental governing principles and values of our state.
A constitutional convention is an organized gathering of publicly elected delegates for the purpose of reviewing and proposing amendments to our State Constitution. Any proposed constitutional amendments approved by the constitutuional delegates would then be voted on for ratification by our citizens during a subsequent general election.
All Hawai‘i residents over the age of 18 would be eligible to become a constitutional delegate. A constitutional convention would directly involve Hawai`i's citizens in helping to determine the future governance of our state.
Rarely does an opportunity come for the public to impose such far-reaching change upon our system of government. The founders of our state recognized the importance of maintaining a living, evolving constitution when they incorporated a provision that allows for the public to decide whether or not to hold a constitutional convention at least once every 10 years.
Yet our last constitutional convention was held in 1978, 30 years ago.
Several significant accomplishments resulted from our last constitutional convention, including the requirement of an annual balanced budget, the establishment of term limits for the Governor and Lt. Governor, the creation of the Judicial Selection Commission and Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the adoption of the Hawaiian language as an official state language of Hawai`i, and the creation of the Council on Revenues to prepare revenue estimates for a six-year planning period.
Out of the 102 publicly elected delegates in our last constitutional convention, only seven had ever held elected office. Believing the time has come to take a fresh look at our existing constitution, the Lt. Governor submitted a letter to the Office of Elections in December 2007, certifying that the question of convening a constitutional convention would be placed on this year’s General Election ballot.
Several long-standing issues may be addressed by our citizens at a constitutional convention, including restructuring the public education system, redefining relationships between the state and counties, expanding legislative options, such as public initiative and referendum, strengthening sunshine laws to make government more open and transparent, protecting agricultural lands and advancing energy independence.
Ultimately, it is up to the people of Hawai‘i to decide.
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