The Systemic One Party State Of Hawaii (Notes From Texas)
Hawaii is locked in a systemic One-Party System that is a result of its 2-tier system of government (State and County). Every other state in the US has a 3- tier system of government (State, County and Cities).
- The lack of representation at the City Level (mayor and city councils, etc.)
- Carries over to the lack of representation on the County Level (elected sheriffs, elected treasurers, elected tax accessors, county level election commissions, etc.)
- Carries over to the lack of representation on the State and Education Level (elected judges, elected state attorney generals, elected school boards, Independent School District, etc.)
This 2-tier system has stunted Hawaii’s political and economic development for over one hundred years and will continue to do so without major reform.
Such reform is needed to fully establish the sort of state-based democratic republic as envisioned by the US Constitution. The higher level of representation enjoyed by every other state in the US is in stark contrast to the minimal level of representation adopted at the founding of Hawaii’s Territorial and State government.
Two intrinsic arguments about Hawaii’s restrictive governing system, arise from the assumption that it is necessary because of Hawaii unique history and geography.
- The first assumption is that the Hawaiian Monarchy and accompanying Aristocracy should have an overarching influence in the conduct of modern Hawaii politics.
- A simple answer for how inappropriate this is, can be seen in the conduct of the monarchist themselves.
The Great Mahele of 1848 granted two thirds of Hawaii land base to itself (Crown Lands) and its supporting aristocracy (Ali’I Lands).
The remaining one third was for the tens of thousands of Hawaii common people!
The British style Monarchy adopted by the Kingdom of Hawaii operated on gathering power to itself and its aristocrat supporters just as all other monarchies of that era. The Aristocracy that than overthrew the monarchy incorporated much of this elite-mindset in the foundation of what was to become the Hawaii State and City & County government.
The second assumption is that Hawaii is best served by what looks a lot like a modified Ali ’i system of government.
That is, a highly centralized State + City & County government system, with limited elected county positions and No Independent Cities, is a requirement needed to govern Only in Hawaii?
Hawaii is stuck with no provision for incorporated municipalities.
What does this mean?
For the people Lahaina (and all other unincorporated towns and cities) it means that, politically, they are only an unincorporated area of Maui County.
- They have no Lahaina based Mayor & City Council with the ability to make and enforce municipal ordinances and issue bonds for civic safety and capital improvement within their incorporated area.
- There was no Lahaina based political structure with the authority to monitor and mitigate the buildup of flammable material as took place prior to the great fire.
- The engagement of citizen groups is frustrated by lack of representation at the Lahaina City level and having little to no control of their own destiny.
There is a real cost to the people of all the unincorporated towns and cities across Hawaii. There are hundreds of thousands who are missing the benefits and possibilities this Third Level of Government.
What Can Be Done?
Like the early Civil Rights era, taking on long entrenched forces of government is not an easy or particularly welcome task.
But, just as the civil rights leadership could highlight the justice of their cause and that segregation and unequal treatment was both wrong and stupid for social, political and economic reason.
A modern Hawaii reform movement could inspire many people in Hawaii in dramatically improving the governance and direction of their future.
Action Agenda:
- Re-start the Hawaii GOP on a non-aristocrat foundation
- Prepare for a Constitutional Convention vote in 2028 to take up the issue of:
- Incorporated Municipalities.
- A county system the fields more elected officials & county-based power.
- State elected judges and attorney generals.
- County level school boards and possible Independent School Districts (ISD)
Foot Note: The author of this post is has been living in Northern Texas after moving from Hawaii in 2021 and is studying the political institution common to the US mainland that are absent for Hawaii. Things like how incorporated municipalities interact. How counties conduct their business. The elected sheriff department. Local ISD’s (Independent School Districts). The County based election system and County based political parties that have ballot access for party leadership election.
“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.” 1954_HomeRuleInHawaii (1)
