The text of the original signed copy of the constitution filed in the office of the secretary of state is retained unless it has been repealed or superseded by amendment or revision. And, on page 6, youll find a bit more information about constitutional conventions. Hawaii was admitted into the union on august 21, 1959. Kauikeaouli enacted the first constitution of hawaii in 1840 which created a more westernlike government with a twobody legislature. Hawaii was admitted as the 50th state of the united states on august 21, 1959, and the constitution of the state of hawaii, ratified on n ovember 7, 1950, went into effect. In addition to an overview of hawaii s constitutional history, it provides an indepth, sectionbysection analysis of the entire constitution, detailing the many significant changes that have been made since its initial drafting. The constitution of the state of hawaii note for proposed constitutional amendment to article i, see act 60 on page 301 of the 2004 session laws of hawaii. Hawaii state constitution article i bill of rights. Constitution of the state of washington this constitution was framed by a convention of seventyfive delegates, chosen by the people of the territory of washington at an election held may 14, 1889, under section 3 of the enabling act. Hawaii revised statutes and constitution welcome to findlaws hosted version of the hawaii revised statutes. 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. Starting on page 4, well take you through the two methods of proposing changes to the constitution.
The hawaii state legislature consists of 25 members in the senate who serve staggered fouryear terms and 51 members in the house of representatives who are elected every two years. Although it is the youngest state, hawaii has a long history of constitution making dating back to its days as a monarchy, republic, and a territory. The state of hawaii legislative reference bureau is a nonpartisan legislative service agency, that provides a wide variety of services to legislators, legislative committees, and members of the public. Act, the territorial governor called the first state primary election for. The constitution of the state of hawaii and how it is changed 2. In the act of march 18, 1959, congress accepted the new state constitution, as amended. Numerous constitutional documents have been promulgated for the kingdom of hawai. The constitution of the state of hawaii refers to various legal documents throughout the history of the hawaiian islands that defined the fundamental principles of authority and governance within its sphere of jurisdiction. Yes hawaii has an affirmative right to abortion enshrined in state law. Article ii the community and the individual section 1. Change of hawaii s legislature from a bicameral legislature to a unicameral legislature. The new hawaii constitution came into effect on the same day. The constitution of the state of hawaii this is findlaws hosted version of hawaii s constitution. The constitution provides the framework for hawaiis government and laws.
The hawaii state constitution does not provide for an initiative process. Hawaii state constitution article xii hawaiian affairs. The constitution of the state of hawaii lrb hawaii. The constitution includes a preamble and 18 articles, including revision notes and an index. An act of government in conflict with this constitution is invalid to the extent of conflict. The constitution of the state of hawaii legislative reference bureau. The hawaii constitution was framed by a constitutional convention under act 334, session laws of hawaii 1949. To the maximum extent possible, the government shall pursue the. The constitution of the state of hawaii constitution is such a foundational document, providing the basis for other laws and rules, that it takes quite a lot to change it. Hawaii state ethics commission search results monsanto.
The state constitution that was drafted in 1950 and became effective in 1959, and its subsequent amendments especially those made in 1968 and 1978 are analyzed. Article i bill of rights political power section 1. Public education board of education power of the board of education hawaii education program. Hawaii state constitution at injury attorney hawaii. And although it has had only one oftenamended constitution since it became a state, hawaii has had some form of constitution since 1839.
Congress accepted hawaii as a state and congress suggested that the 1950 constitution be amended. Hawaii state constitution article xi conservation, control. Whereas, article iv, section 2, of the hawaii state constitution calls for, and explains the procedures for, the convening of the reapportionment commission, which is tasked with creating a reapportionment plan for the legislature and a reapportionment plan for united states congressional districts. It was adopted by the people at the election held on november 7, 1950, and was. Abolishment of the office of kuhina nui hawaii s version of the prime minister, an office that kamehameha i created upon his death. The greater protections in hawaii law are attributable to a strong civil rights mandate contained in the hawaii state constitution, hcrc statutes, hcrc rules, hcrc commission decisions, and state court interpretations. Alaska legislative a airs agency copies bwbjmbcmf from the alaska legislative information office, room 111 terry miller building, juneau, alaska 998011182 9074654648, or viewed. Department of accounting and general services hawai.
You may find the home and end keys on your keyboard useful for moving quickly to the top or bottom of a page. The constitution of the united states of america is adopted on behalf of the people of the state of hawaii. Constitution of the native hawaiian nation squarespace. The first constitution was drafted by kamehameha iii. The lands granted to the state of hawaii by section 5b of the admission act and pursuant to article xvi, section 7, of the state constitution, excluding therefrom lands defined as available lands by section 203 of the hawaiian homes commission act, 1920, as amended, shall be held by the state as a public trust for native hawaiians and the. King kamehameha iii was the first hawaiian monarch to rule as a constitutional monarch rather than an absolute monarch like his predecessors. The constitution is here published as it is in effect following the approval of amendments and revisions on november 3, 2020. Hawaii state constitution article viii local government. This constitution is dedicated to the principles that all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the rewards of their own industry. Such power shall extend to all rightful subjects of legislation not inconsistent with this constitution or the constitution of the united states. Constitution a citizen s guide fifth edition gordon harrison alaska legislative a airs agency alaska s constitution. Article x of the constitution of the state of hawai. Protections no the hawaii state constitution does not provide additional protection for the right to abortion.
As you will see, it doesnt take that long to get through the whole thing. The presiding officer of the senate is the senate president and the presiding officer of the house of representatives is the speaker of the house. Political scientists, lawyers, and historians will find this history, professional analysis, text, bibliographical essay. State flag official languages motto article xvi general and miscellaneous provisions. Where state defendants failed to comply with the requirements set forth in the hawaii constitution regarding publication and disclosure of the text of a proposed constitutional amendment authorizing the initiation of felony prosecutions by written information, the amendment was not validly ratified in accordance with the mandate of this section. The convention met at olympia on the fourth day of july. Nov 07, 2006 under the due process clause of the hawaii constitution, entrapment by estoppel defense may be raised against the state in criminal cases and clause would be violated if the facts established the defense. It was adopted by the people at the election held on november 7, 1950, and was deemed amended when three propositions submitted to the people in accordance with the act of congress approved march 18, 1959, 73 stat 4, public law 863, were adopted by the people at the election held on june 27, 1959. The state of hawaii on july 5, 1978,1 convened its third constitutional convention since 1950.
This article was renumbered from article ix to be article x by const con 1978 and election. Americans overthrow hawaiian monarchy lee, anne 2011. The hawaii state constitution provides an outstanding constitutional and historical account of the state s governing charter. The bibliographical essay highlights major sources on hawaii s constitutional history and development and on interpretations of specific constitutional provisions. Wa constitution page 1 constitution of the state of washington this constitution was framed by a convention of seventyfive delegates, chosen by the people of the territory of washington at an election held may 14, 1889, under section 3 of the enabling act. The state officers to be voted for at the time of the adoption of this constitution, shall be a governor, secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, members of the senate and house of representatives, three supreme judges, nine district judges, and a representative to congress. The constitution of the state of hawaii the following. Hawaii state constitution article xvii revision and.
The constitution of 1864 brought several changes to hawaii s government. Aug 24, 2012 that state, of course, is hawaii, 50th of the 50 u. Nov 07, 2006 the lands granted to the state of hawaii by section 5b of the admission act and pursuant to article xvi, section 7, of the state constitution, excluding therefrom lands defined as available lands by section 203 of the hawaiian homes commission act, 1920, as amended, shall be held by the state as a public trust for native hawaiians and the. Though hawaii follows the statehood model of the u. Incorporating the november 7, 2006 election changes, and including the annotation. Management of state population growth public sightliness and good order preservation of a healthful environment cultural resources public safety article x education. Bans no hawaii does not ban the standard method for providing.
Political power rights of individuals equality of rights freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition due process and equal protection right to privacy. Here you will find a collection of state laws passed by the hawaii state legislature, and organized by subject area into divisions, titles, subtitles, chapters and sections. It was adopted by the people at the election held on november 7, 1950, and was deemed amended when three propositions. Lees work is the first history of the hawaii constitution with text and scholarly analysis on an articlebyarticle basis.
Civil service employees retirement system disqualifications from public office or. Kamehameha iii in the fundamental law of hawaii, lorrin a. Section 7616, hawaii revised statutes, is amended by amending subsection b to read as follows. It was adopted by the people at the election held on november 7, 1950, and was deemed amended when three propositions submitted to the people in accordance with the act of congress approved march 18, 1959, 73 stat 4, public law 863, were adopted by the people at the election held. All political power of this state is inherent in the people and the responsibility for the exercise thereof rests with the people. Political power rights of individuals equality of rights freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition. The constitution of the state of hawaii article iii the legislature index to the constitution of the state of hawaii section titles preamble article i article ii.
The constitution of the state of hawaii constitution is such. The constitution of the state of hawaii was formulated by the 1950 constitutional convention, ratified by voters of the territory on november 7, 1950, and amended on june 27, 1959, at the time of the plebiscite on the admission of hawaii to the union. Anything in this constitution to the contrarynotwithstanding, the hawaiian homes commission act, 1920, enactedby the congress, as the same has been or may be amended prior. Constitutions and constitutional conventions of hawaii. On august 31, 1959, in accordance with article xvi of the state c onstitution, the first legisl ature of the state of hawaii. Constitutions and constitutional conventions of hawaii core. In contrast, federal court interpretations of federal civil. Most states also have statutory nondiscrimination protections in various areas based on religious and nonreligious belief. It was adopted by the people at the election held on november 7, 1950, and was deemed amended when three propositions submitted to the people in. The constitution of 1950 is a relatively short document of approximately 14,000 words.
Use this page to navigate to all sections within the constitution of the state of hawaii. The legislative power of the state shall be vested in a legislature, which shall consist of two houses, a senate and a house of representatives. This is findlaws hosted version of hawaii s constitution. A second large state government program designed to promote agriculture is the important agricultural lands ial program. A few notable constitutions are the bayonet constitution of 1887. Time, should hawaii rewrite its constitution again. The hawaii constitution is the governing document of the state government of hawaii and is supplemented with the civil and the penal codes. At the 1978 constitutional convention, a section was added to the hawaii state constitution requiring the state to conserve and protect agricultural lands, promote diversified agriculture. State of hawaii constitutional mandate pursuant to article vii, section 10 of the hawaii state constitution, the office of the auditor shall conduct postaudits of the transactions, accounts, programs and performance of all departments, offices and agencies of the state and its political subdivisions. Hawaii state constitution article xvii revision and amendment. The constitution of the state of hawaii as amended and in force january 1, 2000. Nearly every state constitution has provisions that echo the critical protections for religious equality created by the u.
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