Lt. Governor Releases Con Con Cost Study

The total estimated cost range is expected to be from $2.3 million to $11.1 million, as provided in the final public report of the Constitutional Convention Cost Task Force, an 11-member, non-partisan group of community, government and legislative officials.

Led by Lt. Governor Aiona, the group was assembled in May to study the cost of holding a constitutional convention to help voters make a well-informed decision in advance of the 2008 General Election, when they will decide whether or not to hold a constitutional convention.

“The task force’s findings are based on transparent, accurate and credible information on the likely costs of a constitutional convention,” Lt. Governor Aiona said.

The last constitutional convention in Hawai‘i was held in 1978. Accomplishments included establishing the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, adopting the Hawaiian language as an official state language of Hawai‘i, and setting term limits for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. 

The Hawai‘i State Constitution calls for the public to have the opportunity to hold a constitutional convention every 10 years. In December, the Lt. Governor certified that the question of whether to convene a constitutional convention will be placed on the November election ballot.

“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. “This is one of the most important questions facing Hawai‘i voters this year.”

Several factors affect the overall cost of a constitutional convention, including the facility to house the convention, the number of delegates and length of the convention, and compensation for delegates, delegate staff and convention staff.