The constitution of the state of Hawaii was written by the constitutional convention of 1950, ratified by the people of the Territory of Hawaii that year, and then amended by the 1959 plebiscite on the statehood question. By January 2003, it had been amended 100 times.
There is a bicameral legislature of 25 senators elected from eight senatorial districts for four-year terms, and 51 representatives elected for two-year terms. The legislature meets annually on the 3rd Wednesday in January; the session is limited to 60 legislative days, but a two-thirds petition by the membership secures an extension (limited to 15 days). Special sessions, each limited to 30 legislative days, may be called by petition of two-thirds of the members of each house. To be eligible to serve as a legislator, a person must have attained the age of majority (18), be an American citizen, have been a resident of the state for at least three years, and be a qualified voter of his district. The legislative salary in 2002 was $32,000, unchanged from 1999.
The governor and lieutenant governor are jointly elected for concurrent four-year terms and must be of the same political party. They are the only elected officers of the executive branch, except for the 13 members of the Board of Education, who also serve four-year terms. The governor, who may be reelected only once, must be at least 30 years old and must have resided in the state for five years. In 2002 the governor's salary was $94,780, unchanged from 1999.
The legislature can override the governor's veto by a twothirds vote of the elected members of both houses. If the governor neither signs nor vetoes a bill, it becomes law after 10 days (excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) when the legislature is in session or after 45 days (excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) after the legislature has adjourned.
A constitutional amendment may be proposed by the legislature with a two-thirds vote in each house in one session or a majority vote in each house in two sessions. It must then be approved by a majority of the voters during elections.
Voters in Hawaii must be US citizens at least 18 years old; there is no minimum residency requirement. Restrictions apply to convicted felons and those declared mentally incompetent by the court.