Constitution of Hawaii

The Constitution 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. Numerous constitutions have been promulgated for the Kingdom of Hawaii, Republic of Hawaii, Territory of Hawaii and State of Hawaii. The first constitution was drafted by Kamehameha III. A few constitutions have become historically infamous like the Bayonet Constitution of 1887 which stripped native Hawaiians of their rights in favor of American plantation owners and the constitution of 1893 that was never officially promulgated but instead inflamed businessmen to accelerate their plans for the overthrow of the monarchy. Other documents became famous for more positive reasons such as the constitution of 1978 that created the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and declared the Hawaiian language to be one of the official languages of the state. The premier authority of enforcement of the Constitution of Hawaii has been historically given to the various supreme courts that had reigned over the Hawaiian Islands. Currently, that duty rests in the hands of the Hawaii State Supreme Court.

Related Topics:
Hawaiian Islands - Constitution - Kingdom of Hawaii - Republic of Hawaii - Territory of Hawaii - State of Hawaii - Kamehameha III - Bayonet Constitution - 1887 - Native Hawaiians - Plantation - 1893 - 1978 - Office of Hawaiian Affairs - Hawaiian language - Hawaii State Supreme Court

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