
November 1954 On Home Rule In Hawaii
“Local government in Hawaii differs greatly from local government on the mainland United States. Hawaii has a highly centralized system of government,
which the Territory administering many functions which on the mainland are handled by local government, there are only the City and County of Honolulu, the four Outer Island· counties, and a few special districts in the Territory; there are no organized cities or towns which are so numerous and important on the mainland. Finally, the territorial legislature enacts detailed laws controlling activities of specific counties; adoption of special legislation of this nature is prohibited in a number of states.”
What was true nearly 70 years ago is still so true today. No elected School Boards for a top heavy centralized DOE. No independent cities. No normal counties with elected sheriffs, etc. No elected State Attorney General, No elected Judges. No referendum or initiative. An unending One Party Monopoly enacting mainland Democrat party agenda’s neither wanted or asked for by the majority populace.
“Primarily, home rule is a matter of attitude; it cannot be achieved entirely by mandate of ink on paper or by the adoption of legalistic ritual. People can have local self-government only if they want it and are willing to work for it. They can be assisted in their efforts by a similar attitude on the part of legislators, local officials, and the courts. Unless legislators resist the temptation to deal with local matters and confine themselves to problems of state-wide concern, home rule can be only partially successful. If local officials generate an attitude of self-sufficiency among themselves, they can inspire confidence in their constituents and their legislators; and it follows that a vigorous handling of community affairs will diminish the compulsion for state action.”
FULL REPORT >> 1954_HomeRuleInHawaii (1)