Constitution of Hawaii

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The preamble to the current Constitution of Hawaii states, "We, the people of the State of Hawaii, grateful for Divine Guidance, and mindful of our Hawaiian heritage, reaffirm our belief in a government of the people, by the people and for the people, and with an understanding heart toward all peoples of the earth do hereby ordain and establish this constitution for the State of Hawaii."

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American state constitution

Constitution of the State of Hawaii
The Great Seal of the State of Hawaii
Overview
Jurisdiction
Created
Ratified
Date effective
Chambers
Executive
Judiciary

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 fe