Hawaii
Hawaii’s highest court is the Supreme Court of the State of Hawaii. The court has four associate justices and one chief justice. The chief justice is appointed under the same procedures as the associate justices. (Source: Hawaii Constitution)
Judicial Selection
The governor nominates a candidate to the Supreme Court of the State of Hawaii from a list provided by a judicial selection commission. The governor’s selection must be confirmed by a majority of the state senate. The appointed justice serves a 10-year term. Justices may stand for reappointment by the state’s judicial selection commission to additional terms. The governor nominates a judicial candidate to fill an interim vacancy from a list provided by a judicial selection commission. The governor’s selection must be confirmed by a majority of the state senate. The appointed justice serves a 10-year term. The mandatory retirement age is 70.
State Constitution
Hawaii’s first and only constitution was adopted in 1950. As of January 1, 2024, it had 114 amendments. (Source: John Dinan, 2024)
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American Indians and Indigenous Peoples in State Constitutions
In the shadow of federal law, some state constitutions address American Indian land, taxation, gaming permissions, voting rights, cultural protection, and governance.
A New Tool Makes Comparing State Constitutions Easier
Scholars, practitioners, and judges can quickly see how constitutional provisions differ or overlap with a resource from the nonprofit American Juris Link.
Universal Injunctions in State Courts
Debates over whether a judge in a single county can issue a statewide injunction are brewing. States should not follow the U.S. Supreme Court’s approach.
Montana’s Climate Change Lawsuit May See Sequels Across America
Courts in Montana, Hawaii, and New Mexico have been receptive to claims by youth plaintiffs that failures to protect the environment violate state constitutions.
The History of Same-Sex Marriage in the United States, and What Might Come Next
Until the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2015, the country was a patchwork of laws regarding who could marry.
Hawaii’s Lawsuit Against Oil Companies Alleges “Harm to Public Trust Resources”
States are suing companies that cause harm to the environment, relying on mandates requiring protection of public resources.
State Court Oral Arguments to Watch for in June
Issues on the dockets include partisan gerrymandering, fines and fees imposed on indigent defendants, and bans on flavored tobacco and online vision tests.
Honoring Former Hawaii Justice Masaji Marumoto’s Legacy on the Bench
A look at Marumoto’s trailblazing career, in celebration of May’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.