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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 10:55 a.m., Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Hawaii to vote on holding a constitutional convention

Advertiser Staff

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona this morning urged voters to endorse a constitutional convention when the question appears on the ballot next year.

The lieutenant governor is authorized by the state constitution to put the question on the ballot if a decade passes without the issue coming before voters. Voters rejected calling for a constitutional convention in 1998.

If voters approve a constitutional convention next year, the state Legislature would set the terms and the convention would be held in 2010.

The last constitutional convention was held in 1978, where delegates urged term limits for the governor and lieutenant governor, the creation of the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs and making Hawaiian an official state language. Voters ratified those amendments.

Aiona said voters should consider whether a constitutional convention is necessary to address such issues as education reform, natural resource protection, energy use and government accountability.

"This is something for the people to decide," Aiona said at a news conference at the state Capitol.