Lt. Governor Continues to Inform Public on Con Con

He pointed out in a speech on Aug. 25 to the Rotary Club of Pearl Harbor that an entire generation, including his own children, have never known what it is like to have a constitutional convention in Hawai‘i, where the last constitutional convention was held in 1978.

Two days later, Lt. Governor Aiona told the Pearl City Lions Club that the question of whether or not to convene a constitutional convention is one of the most important decisions facing Hawai‘i voters in November.

“We should be asking ourselves questions about what we could address through a constitutional convention,” the Lt. Governor told members of both clubs in separate speeches.

Questions include whether the people of Hawai‘i should take a serious look at how to improve our public education system or put forward public initiative and referendum so the public can place measures directly on the ballot.

He also asked whether they should pass sunshine laws to make government more open and transparent and whether the public should examine how to reduce duplication of services between the state and county governments.

“These are only some of the questions that could be addressed if the public votes in favor of a constitutional convention,” Lt. Governor said.”

In August, Lt. Governor Aiona announced that a constitutional convention can be held for under $10 million. He led an 11-member, non-partisan task force that found the likely cost range to be from $2.3 million to $11.1 million.

In December, the Lt. Governor certified that the people of Hawai`i would be able to vote in the 2008 General Election on whether or not to hold a constitutional convention.

“Ultimately, it is up to the people to decide if 30 years is long enough to wait before taking a fresh look at our state constitution," Lt. Governor Aiona said.