Kaua‘i Coalition supports constitutional convention

A nonpartisan group comprised of various citizen organizations started work last month to rally residents to vote yes at the Nov. 4 general election for a statewide constitutional convention.

“It’s very important to give the people a voice to decide if the laws which are applicable to our state in our constitution are up to date and whether changes might be made that would allow for a better government,” Princeville resident Walter Lewis said yesterday.

The Kaua‘i Coalition — which includes the League of Women Voters, political party representatives and people active in civic affairs — discussed the pros and cons of a constitutional convention during its inaugural meeting on Jan. 11 at the Princeville community center, Lewis said.

Voters will decide this fall whether to call a constitutional convention to revisit and possibly revise the state’s founding document. If passed, the state Legislature must then decide how delegates to the convention will be appointed. Any amendment or proposed constitutional change made at the convention must come back for statewide voter approval.

“This is the most strategic opportunity that we have in Hawai‘i to dramatically impact the present and future status of how our government functions,” said Mark Spengler, a Big Island resident who addressed the coalition at its meeting. “We encourage people to be interested in exploring the potential subjects that could be handled should there be a constitutional convention.”

Spengler, a personal investment trader and father of four children, said education and energy top his list of items to consider revising at the convention.

“The educational system is not bringing the kind of reform from within that is desperately needed,” he said yesterday. “Maybe we do need local school boards or something that makes our educational system more accountable. As a neighbor islander, it’s very difficult to participate in some of these things when we have to go to Honolulu.”

The last time the convention question was put on the ballot was in 1998, which voters turned down. The question went before voters two years earlier and the results led to a controversy finally settled by the state Supreme Court.

More residents in 1996 voted yes than no, but blank ballots were counted as no votes and tipped the scales against calling a convention. The state’s highest court upheld this ruling when legal challenges ensued, making 1978 the date of the most recent constitutional convention.

“We were just blown away. People still roll their eyes,” Spengler said, adding that part of the coalition’s effort will involve educating residents on how convention votes are tallied.

State law requires the constitutional convention question be placed on the ballot at least once every 10 years. The question reads: “Shall there be a convention to propose a revision of or amendments to the constitution?”

Discussion at the coalition’s meeting resulted in a unanimous decision to support a yes vote on the ballot question this fall, Lewis said.

The coalition has not scheduled its next meeting, which will be open to the public, but expects to hold another next month, he added.

The plan is to develop support for the convention and start actively campaigning in July or August, Lewis said.

“A convention gives residents an opportunity to get together as ‘ohana around the state and review everything that’s going on with government — its structures, its strengths, its weaknesses,” Spengler said. “It’s time.”

• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com.