Constitution of Hawaii

Constitution of the State of Hawaii
The Great Seal of the State of Hawaii
Overview
Jurisdiction	Hawaii, United States
Created	November 7, 1950
Ratified	March 18, 1959
Date effective	August 21, 1959
Chambers	Two (bicameral Hawaii State Legislature)
Executive	Governor of Hawaii
Judiciary	Judiciary of Hawaii

The Constitution of the State of Hawaii (Hawaiian: Kumukānāwai o Hawaiʻi), also known as the Hawaii State Constitution,^[1] is the fundamental governing document of the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi. As an organic text, 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.

Hawaii was governed by several constitutions during its period as a sovereign kingdom and short-lived transitional republic, prior to U.S. annexation in 1900.^[2] The current constitution was adopted by referendum in 1950, amended upon admission to the Union in 1959, and further amended at the constitutional convention of 1968;^[3] it was most recently amended in 1978, which saw the most significant changes to government and popular rights to date.^[4]

As in most states, the Hawaiian Constitution is modeled after United States Constitution and reinforces many of the same basic rights and structures, albeit with more expansive or unique provisions; unlike its federal counterpart, it lists key individual rights of citizens, guarantees an explicit right to privacy, safeguards collective bargaining, and prohibits sex-based discrimination. Reflecting the state's unique history and cultural heritage, Constitution of Hawaii establishes protections for the environment, public wellness, and Native Hawaiians.

Hawaii's local governmental structure is unique among the U.S. states in that it is limited to two levels of government: the state and the four counties, each with a mayor and a council; there are no municipal governments. The amendment process is similar to that of the federal constitution, requiring a proposal by constitutional convention or by the legislature.^[5] 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.