Ten Reasons Hawaii Should Pass the Convention of States Application for an Article V Convention
By Mark White, State Director, Convention of States Action Hawaii
Convention of States volunteers have been active in Hawaii since the 2016 state legislative session, promoting the passage of an Article V application for a convention to constitutionally propose amendments to limit the size, scope, and power of the federal government.
Here’s why Hawaii needs to pass this resolution:
1. Because the Convention of States Article V resolution allows states to regain their self-governing authority (sovereignty), a freedom always intended to remain with the states.
Consider this: Article V contains today’s only remaining and constitutionally legal check and balance that states can use to limit the federal government and hold it accountable.
2. Because overreaching regulations created by unelected bureaucrats reduce states to regional agencies merely enacting federal policies, often ignoring the needs of the people of Hawaii.
Consider this: Federal agencies annually issue 3 times as many regulations—legally equivalent to laws—as the laws passed by Congress.
3. Because control of Hawaii's land and resources should be restored to Hawaii and her people.
Consider this: Hawaii fisheries experienced millions in loss of revenue due to the expansion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.
4. Because the people of Hawaii should be free to decide on policies and curriculum for our schools without interference from the federal government.
Consider this: Of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., Hawaii ranks 49th overall in education.
5. Because out-of-touch politicians in Washington, D.C., regardless of party, should not be permitted to force their social agendas upon the people of Hawaii.
Consider this: The Affordable Care Act (i.e. Obamacare) obliterated Hawaii’s popular local/statewide healthcare solution: the 1974 Prepaid Health Care Act.
6. Because the language of the Constitution has been misinterpreted and distorted and is in need of restoration to its original intent.
Consider this: In the 1920s & 30s, the Supreme Court allowed such an expansive exercise of Congress’ regulation of “commerce power” that today almost any commercial activity at the local level meets the minimum standard to invoke this power.
7. Because a federal government that gains tyrannical power will never restrain its own power.
Consider this: In spite of great popular support, term limits and balanced budget amendments have failed to pass in Congress for the last 40 years.
8. Because it’s time to put an end to unfunded federal mandates.
Consider this: Honolulu rapid transit project (Rail) costs borne by the state have quadrupled since the start of the original $3 billion project.
9. Because Americans and Hawaii citizens, particularly, are self-governing people and were never meant to be ruled by unelected bureaucrats in a distant capital.
Consider this: The island of Oahu boasts some 36 neighborhood boards created and dedicated to addressing and resolving immediate local community problems.
10. Because the Constitution’s Article V “convention for proposing amendments” was given to us for a time such as this.
Consider this: The Constitution’s framers knew that republics throughout history have all collapsed because of over-dependence on centralized government and the expanding autocracy from self-empowered legislatures that fail to represent their constituents.
HAWAII FILING HISTORY OF COS RESOLUTION
|
Year |
House |
Senate |
|
2023 |
CHUN, ALCOS, GARCIA, KONG, PIERICK, Amato |
WAKAI, Awa, Dela Cruz |
|
2022 |
KONG, MCDERMOTT, WARD |
WAKAI, GABBARD, RIVIERE |
|
2021 |
KONG, MATSUMOTO, MCDERMOTT, OKIMOTO, TOKIOKA, YAMANE, Sayama, Ward |
GABBARD, RIVIERE, WAKAI, Fevella, Inouye |
|
2020 |
KONG, CABANILLA ARAKAWA, CACHOLA, DECOITE, OKIMOTO, SAY, YAMANE, Aquino, Brower, McDermott, Mizuno |
GABBARD, HARIMOTO, Inouye, Riviere |
|
2019 |
KONG, CACHOLA, MATSUMOTO, MCDERMOTT, MIZUNO, SAY, TOKIOKA, WARD, YAMANE, Cabanilla Arakawa, Okimoto |
GABBARD, DELA CRUZ, HARIMOTO, Fevella, Riviere, Wakai |
|
2018 |
KONG, BROWER, CACHOLA, EVANS, SAY, TUPOLA, YAMANE, Creagan, Hashem, Ito, Mizuno, Tokioka, Ward |
GABBARD, ESPERO, HARIMOTO, INOUYE, NISHIHARA, RIVIERE, Shimabukuro, Wakai |
|
2017 |
KONG, BROWER, CACHOLA, CREAGAN, DECOITE, EVANS, MATSUMOTO, MCDERMOTT, MIZUNO, SAY, TOKIOKA, WARD, YAMANE, Cabanilla Arakawa, Okimoto |
GABBARD, HARIMOTO, Espero, Inouye, Riviere, Wakai |
|
2016 |
MCDERMOTT, KONG |
SLOM, Espero, Gabbard, Harimoto, Inouye, Kidani, Nishihara, Shimabukuro |
All Caps = INTRODUCER Bold = Democrat
