My phenomenal Hawaii Padlet by Anaya Daniels

adani188_ — 2023-11-17 03:38:52 UTC

In 1842, Daniel Webster, then Secretary of State, wrote a letter to representatives from Hawaii in Washington. In this letter, he stated that the United States had interests in Hawaii and did not support any other country trying to take over the islands. He also suggested to Great Britain and France that no country should try to get special rights or keep colonizing the islands. In 1849, the United States and Hawaii made a treaty of friendship that laid the foundation for their official relationship (U.S DOS Archive)

adani188_ — 2023-11-18 15:08:12 UTC

The influence of American plantation owners on the islands drove the annexation of Hawaii in 1898. These plantation owners intended to uphold their financial interests, including receiving preferential treatment for sugar exported to the United States.

In August 1959, Hawaii, a U.S. territory since 1898, became the 50th state. This occurred following a vote in Hawaii in which over 93% of voters agreed that Hawaii should become a state. Hawaii played an important role in World War II, cementing its identity as an integral component of the United States in the minds of both Hawaiians and mainlanders.

https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/the-annexation-of-hawaii/

adani188_ — 2023-11-18 15:20:04 UTC

Hawaii, like all states in the United States, interacts with the federal government in a variety of ways. The federal government provides financing to the state for a wide range of programs and services, including education, healthcare, transportation, and disaster relief. In addition, Hawaii is home to a number of US military installations, including the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Hawaii follows federal election laws and regulations, including presidential and congressional elections, in accordance with federal mandates. (Hawaii.gov)

How much land does the federal government own in Hawaii?

adani188_ — 2023-11-18 15:22:21 UTC

The state owns the vast bulk of Hawaii's 1,376,000 acres. The federal government comes in second with 531,000 acres, which includes all of Hawaii's national parks and military bases. (Stacker)

Federal money in Hawaii

adani188_ — 2023-11-18 15:24:17 UTC

Hawaii receives around $3 billion in government money, which is divided as follows: $1.5 billion for infrastructure rehabilitation, including roads, bridges, and significant projects; $637.4 million for public transportation; and $246 million for airports. In addition, $160 million is set aside for broadband development, $200.4 million for water infrastructure, and $18 million to encourage the use of electric vehicles in Hawaii. (Kohn2)

Conflict with the federal government

adani188_ — 2023-11-20 08:25:57 UTC

Native Hawaiian sovereignty is one issue that frequently sparks tension because some Native Hawaiians want more autonomy, which occasionally strikes conflict to federal regulations. Hawaii has also expressed disapproval of federal immigration rules concerning unauthorized immigrants.

Structure and Power

adani188_ — 2023-11-20 15:30:57 UTC

The Hawaii State Legislature is the sole legislative body in Hawaii. The Hawaii House of Representatives and the Hawaii Senate are the two chambers that make up the Hawaii State Legislature.

Legislation at the state level, including those pertaining to healthcare, education, transportation, and other issues unique to the state, is the responsibility of Hawaii.

In addition, the Hawaii Legislature has the authority to assign finances, levy state taxes, and manage state government organizations. https://ballotpedia.org/Hawaii_State_Legislature

Membership and term length

adani188_ — 2023-11-20 15:35:35 UTC

Individual districts within Hawaii's counties are used to elect members of the Hawaii House of Representatives. Individual districts also elect state senators.

Two-year terms are granted to members of the Hawaii House of Representatives. In Hawaii, there are staggered elections and four-year mandates for state senators.

Veto/Appointment power

adani188_ — 2023-11-20 15:45:59 UTC

Any law passed by the state legislature is subject to veto power by the governor of Hawaii. But with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers, the legislature can overturn the veto of the governor.

Appointing judges, heads of departments, and members of boards and commissions are among the state officials that the governor of Hawaii may designate, with the state Senate's consent.

https://ballotpedia.org/Governor_of_Hawaii

Emergency/ Budgetary powers

adani188_ — 2023-11-20 16:05:08 UTC

When a state-wide emergency arises, such as a natural disaster or a public health emergency, the governor is empowered to act. Hawaii has had a number of natural disasters recently. The governor was forced to exercise his emergency authority.

One of the governor's responsibilities in the state budget process is to provide a budget proposal to the legislature. The state implemented the Planning, Programming, and Budgeting System in accordance with the Executive Budget Act of 1970. This act aims to improve resource allocation decisions by integrating the planning, programming, and budgeting processes. https://budget.hawaii.gov/budget/about-budget/

A little background info

adani188_ — 2023-11-20 16:26:15 UTC

The governor of Hawaii is Josh Green. He was born in New York in February of 1970. Greene was sworn in as the governor in 2022 and is a member of the Democratic Party. There are no term limits for the office of Hawaii governor. Governors can serve consecutive terms if reelected by the voters.

adani188_ — 2023-11-20 16:52:34 UTC

A bureaucratic form of governance or administration is characterized by rules, hierarchy, and specialization; it is frequently associated with undesirable outcomes. Like any other state in the union, Hawaii's bureaucracy is housed within the federal government's framework, but it also has independent state government agencies that handle a variety of tasks.

Compared to the federal government of the United States, the state government of Hawaii is far less in size and jurisdiction. Hawaii's state government largely deals with topics that are exclusive to the state, while the federal government handles matters that are national and international in scope.

Best funded/ Controversial Agencies

adani188_ — 2023-11-20 20:29:00 UTC

Hawaii's best-funded agencies can change over time and are based on the objectives of the state's budget. The Departments of Education, Health, and Transportation are frequently examples of historically well-funded organizations. These organizations are essential to the public health, transportation infrastructure, and education sectors.

Land usage, Native Hawaiian rights, and environmental concerns are just a few of the topics that can spark controversy in Hawaii's state government. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) handles politically sensitive matters pertaining to Native Hawaiian rights and finances, while the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has been involved in controversy over land management and conservation methods.

https://www.britannica.com/place/Hawaii-state/Government-and-society

Unique and major industries

adani188_ — 2023-11-21 22:05:32 UTC

Hawaii's geography and population make its bureaucracy special in some ways. Because it is committed to addressing the concerns and rights of Native Hawaiians, particularly land rights and cultural preservation, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) stands out. Furthermore, the Hawaii State Department of Health has a special responsibility to oversee and manage matters pertaining to public health, such as those involving water quality, vector-borne illnesses, and volcanic eruptions.

adani188_ — 2023-11-21 22:09:17 UTC

Judicial selection and Structure

adani188_ — 2023-11-21 22:15:32 UTC

In Hawaii, a merit-based system is used to pick judges. The governor is the one who makes the ultimate appointment after the Judicial Selection Commission evaluates applications and suggests candidates. Judges in Hawaii are appointed to ten-year terms, renewable once.

The Circuit Courts (First, Second, Third, and Fifth Circuits), the District Courts, the Hawaii Supreme Court, and the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals are the four primary tiers of Hawaii's state court system. Every circuit covers a particular state geographic area.

https://guides.loc.gov/law-us-hawaii/judicial#:~:text=In%20Hawaii%2C%20the%20court%20system,the%20court%20of%20general%20jurisdiction

Jurisdiction and Types of cases

adani188_ — 2023-11-21 22:28:08 UTC

Hawaii's state courts have jurisdiction over matters that fall under state law, including criminal cases, civil disputes, family law matters, probate, and issues related to state regulations and statutes. They do not have jurisdiction over federal cases unless those cases also involve state law.

Criminal cases, civil litigation, family law issues (such as divorce and child custody), estate and probate affairs, landlord-tenant disputes, and cases pertaining to state rules and regulations are just a few of the many cases that Hawaii's state courts handle.

adani188_ — 2023-11-21 22:48:54 UTC

Compared to federal rules, gun control legislation in Hawaii are more stringent. The state has instituted background checks for all gun buyers, including those who purchase firearms through private sales, and it mandates that people obtain permits before purchasing or possessing firearms. Hawaii likewise imposes restrictions on the carrying of assault weapons and magazine capacity. These actions surpass the federal regulations.

Second, Hawaii has an excellent history of advancing LGBTQ+ rights. It was among the first states to legalize same-sex unions and to pass laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace and housing market. Finally, Hawaii has implemented measures to safeguard personal information. For instance, as a move to preserve privacy, it has passed laws restricting the use of automated license plate readers by law enforcement.

adani188_ — 2023-11-21 22:50:09 UTC

Baehr v. Lewin (1993): With relation to LGBTQ+ rights, this case was noteworthy. In the end, the state's Supreme Court declared that denying same-sex couples the ability to marry was unconstitutional as a result of a case seeking marriage equality in Hawaii. Even still, marital equality did not follow this ruling right away.

https://law.justia.com/cases/hawaii/supreme-court/

Examples of Civil Liberties

adani188_ — 2023-11-21 22:50:13 UTC

adani188_ — 2023-11-21 22:51:38 UTC

Hawaii Defense Foundation v. City and County of Honolulu (2008): The Second Amendment and the right to bear weapons were at issue in this case. The Hawaii Defense Foundation contested the stringent gun control legislation in Honolulu, claiming that they were unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. The case brought to light the conflict between individual rights and gun control laws.

https://law.justia.com/cases/hawaii/supreme-court/

adani188_ — 2023-11-21 23:00:46 UTC

Hawaii Housing Authority v. Midkiff (1984): This case dealt with the issue of eminent domain and property rights in Hawaii. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state's use of eminent domain to redistribute land from large landowners to tenants. The decision had implications for land reform and property rights in Hawaii.

https://law.justia.com/cases/hawaii/supreme-court/

adani188_ — 2023-11-21 23:09:44 UTC

In areas including LGBTQ+ rights, discrimination, and indigenous rights, Hawaii has gone beyond what is required by federal law in terms of preserving specific civil rights. To address these challenges, state legislation, executive orders, and local initiatives have been put into place; in certain cases, these have provided stronger safeguards than required by federal law.

adani188_ — 2023-11-21 23:21:35 UTC

This case is noteworthy because of its effects on the Japanese American community in Hawaii, even though it started on the American mainland. During World War II, Japanese American Fred Korematsu was detained. The case brought attention to the unfairness of Japanese American internment, which also affected many in Hawaii, even though the Supreme Court maintained his conviction. A military commander ordered all people of Japanese heritage to leave the West Coast during World War II. This case creates the "strict scrutiny" standard of review, which makes a lot of future racial discrimination illegal.

LGBTQ+ Rights

adani188_ — 2023-11-21 23:26:40 UTC

Hawaii has consistently led the way in advancing LGBTQ+ rights. It was among the first states to outlaw child conversion therapy. In Hawaii, the first measure to outlaw conversion treatment for kids was filed in 2013, although it stalled for a while. Fortunately, in April 2018, a new measure to criminalize the practice was introduced, and following heated discussion, conversion therapy for children was declared illegal. Officially, the law became operative on July 1, 2018.

https://www.equalityhawaii.org/lgbt-rights-in-hawaii/

adani188_ — 2023-11-27 17:43:57 UTC

Elections in Hawaii are conducted via mail. Election authorities must receive mail votes from all eligible voters before the end of polls on Election Day. Ten working days before the election, voter service centers are open till 7:00 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time to accept ballots sent in via mail, accommodate voters with specific requirements, allow same-day voter registration and voting, and offer additional election services.

https://ballotpedia.org/Voting_in_Hawaii

Election Controversy

adani188_ — 2023-11-27 17:54:01 UTC

Whether the 2020 election was inconsistent is a matter of debate. Many Hawains never received an update on their voter registration, or they received extra ballots. Requests for an audit of the ballots have been made as a result, however Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago defended his office and claimed there was no evidence of voter fraud.

adani188_ — 2023-11-27 18:12:51 UTC

The people of Hawaii lean Democratic in general. The state is home to a sizable Democratic Party that routinely garners the majority of votes in municipal and presidential elections. Hawaii has a long history of backing Democratic candidates; since 1984, when it backed Ronald Reagan for president, the state has not supported a Republican.

adani188_ — 2023-11-28 02:47:38 UTC

Hawaii possesses both a Democratic triplex and a Democratic trifecta. One political party holding majorities in both the state legislature's chambers and the governor's office is referred to as a "trifecta." One political party holding all three of the following posts in a state's administration is referred to as a "triplex." Currently, in Hawaii there are zero republican trifectas and twenty-four democratic trifectas.

adani188_ — 2023-11-28 03:18:57 UTC

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser is Hawaii's biggest media outlet, covering a broad spectrum of news, including politics. Hawaii News Now is the state's next big news source. This news group covers local news, including political developments, and has TV stations and a website.

The governor of Hawaii has made headlines lately primarily about his recovery from the several natural catastrophes. Natural disasters happen frequently, as many people are aware. Voters are quite vocal in demanding that government funds and aid be provided as soon as possible by their political leaders.

adani188_ — 2023-11-28 18:43:26 UTC

Economic issues that frequently come up in public conversation include the high cost of living, the affordability of housing, and employment prospects. Frequently, there is a lot of support for addressing problems with land use and cultural practices as well as for protecting and advancing Native Hawaiian culture.
Education is a significant topic, with talks about raising educational standards, alleviating the teacher shortage, and guaranteeing access to chances for education.

Democrats have historically dominated state politics in Hawaii, making it a Democratic stronghold. There are Republicans in the state, though, and viewpoints differ greatly. Democrats have historically dominated state politics in Hawaii, making it a Democratic stronghold.

Environmental Issues/ Homelessness

adani188_ — 2023-11-28 18:44:34 UTC

Because of its distinct ecosystems and exposure to climate change, Hawaii has a tendency to be an environmentally concerned state. The public frequently supports initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability and environmental protection. However, the environment has been negatively impacted by homelessness. It is becoming increasingly challenging for the locals to make a living. The number of individuals living on city streets, beneath bridges, or in cars is a daily reminder of the depressing outcomes.

Tourism

adani188_ — 2023-11-28 18:45:21 UTC

Hawaii's economy depends heavily on tourism, however views on how to strike a balance between the industry's financial advantages and worries about its effects on the environment and cultural preservation may differ. Hawaii expects improved tourism industry management. The main preferences of the locals are tighter regulations regarding unlawful vacation rentals and teaching tourists to treat Hawaii's land and culture with greater respect. Locals want to charge visitors a fee to manage crowded parks and trails.

Healthcare

adani188_ — 2023-11-28 18:46:59 UTC

Like many other places in the US, Hawaii has issues with access to healthcare. Policies that address healthcare affordability and accessibility may be more popular. Hawaii's Prepaid Health Care Act contributes to the state's reputation as one of the healthiest in the union. The number of people without health insurance rose over time, but the federal Affordable Care Act—also known as Obamacare saw a decline in this rate as well.