State Feed: Hawaii

Yes, Hawaii Does Need an Initiative Right

Staff — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:35:55 -0500

Because Hawaiians have no statewide initiative or referendum rights, the Aloha State earned a “D” on our recently released state-by-state report card on initiative and referendum rights. We like to think that the state’s poor performance will prompt action to give the people more of a voice in government by creating an open and accessible initiative process. Unfortunately, at least one talking head in the state doesn’t want the people to have a greater say in their state government.

A Look at Initiative and Referendum Rights in Hawaii

Staff — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:30:06 -0400

The island paradise of Hawaii may have beautiful sandy beaches and clear blue water, but it does not have initiative and referendum rights. Check out a brief history of I&R in Hawaii here.

Ralph Nader case in Hawaii will be revived

Fri, 15 May 2009 10:08:56 -0400

Ralph Nader’s 2004 Hawaii ballot access case has been in the 9th Circuit Court since last year. The chief issue is whether it is constitutional for Hawaii to require six times as many signatures for an independent presidential candidate as for an entire new party.

Read the story from the Independent Political Report

Group won't appeal ruling on affirmative action law

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:24:12 -0500

A group opposed to Nebraska’s affirmative action law says it won’t appeal a judge’s rejection of their lawsuit challenging the validity of petition signatures

David Kramer, spokesman for Nebraskans United, says the judge’s ruling still leaves questions about whether a petition circulator has to read the entire object statement to each signer.

In ConCon fight, roles are reversed

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:45:10 -0400

The last time Hawai’i held a Constitutional Convention, in 1978, the focus was on a political power struggle between the “haves” and the “have-nots.”

In many ways, that same picture is emerging today as the state contemplates holding yet another convention to look at, and possibly revise, our constitution.

The big difference is that the forces that want change and those who are comfortable with the status quo have — in many respects — switched sides.

Court derails ballot initiative

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:43:06 -0400

A state appeals court ruled against an anti-rail group, which has still not yet admitted defeat in its five-month- long attempt to create a ballot question to block the city’s proposed $4 billion rail transit project.

The state’s second-highest court yesterday rejected a motion by Stop Rail Now to order the city clerk to place its question on the November ballot asking voters to prohibit the city from building a rail or train system.

Court derails ballot initiative

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:36:44 -0400

Honolulu judge rules in favor of anti-rail petition

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:09:44 -0400

A Honolulu judge ruled Thursday that the city clerk’s office must accept an anti-rail petition.

Members of Stop Rail Now say they believe the ruling paves the way to allow Oahu residents to vote on a proposed ordinance this fall that reads, “Honolulu mass transit shall not include trains or rail.”

Circuit Court Judge Karl Sakamoto’s decision means the city clerk must accept and verify within 20 days whether Stop Rail Now has gathered a sufficient number of valid signatures.

Anti-rail group revives petition

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:58:49 -0400

Leaders of an anti-rail group say they have collected enough signatures for a petition initiative that could stop the city’s proposed $4 billion rail transit system.

They planned to submit it to the City Clerk’s Office by 2 p.m. today.

Cliff Slater, an organizer of Stop Rail Now, said they had collected about 49,000 signatures as of yesterday, when they made their final rally for signatures outside the organization’s South Street headquarters.

Initiative Derailed by Wording

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:06:15 -0400

The city clerk says “no” to a citizen’s petition drive trying to block the $4 billion city rail transit plan.

The decision yesterday afternoon from City Clerk Denise De Costa means she will not put the issue on the November ballot, regardless of whether Stop Rail Now receives enough signatures.

De Costa says the City Charter prohibits a special initiative issue from being placed on the ballot within 180 days of an election.

Pro-Rail Opponents of Voter Initiative are 'Enemies of Democracy' in Hawaii

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:26:34 -0400

Referring to opponents of voter initiative on the rail project as “enemies of democracy,” Stop Rail Now’s volunteer campaign manager Eric Ryan lashed out at high-ranking members of the local political scene for attempting to thwart the will of Oahu voters by intentionally undermining the petition process.