Editor’s note: This is the fourth and final in a series of Community Voices about the November ballot question regarding whether to hold a state constitutional convention.

When the “Con-Con Salon” convened last March, we began with the basics. How do constitutional conventions work? What are the mechanics? What came of previous con cons, especially the momentous 1978 gathering, and how do some of the alumni from that gathering look back on their experience?

We then asked ourselves this:

If con cons are snapshots or mirrors of the public mood at the moment, how do we assess the temper of our present time and the social crosscurrents that are at work? What background forces will be in play when the polls open in November?

Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Today’s Atmospherics

Hawaii’s public mood is fraught. Maybe it always is but as we talked, a few participants discussed what they believe to be a profound disillusionment with the Hawaii Legislature and a general disappointment with politicians and government leadership.

Some mentioned the national mood that seems to be spilling into Hawaii, especially the well-documented growing distrust of government and a rising global tide of radical right populism. Others spoke about particular issues, divisions, screw-ups and the running inability to get much done.

A few cited specific problems and failures: $20 billion in unfunded retirement and health care obligations; our aging and sagging infrastructure; the ballooning costs of rail; the failure of the Hawaii Superferry; homelessness; union overreach; the cultural disputes over Mauna Kea and the Thirty Meter Telescope.

Courtesy

Others talked about deeper forces: a one-party monopoly for the last 50 years; ongoing demographic changes; income disparities; the lack of affordable housing and the steady pricing out of people born and raised here; voter fatigue and continuing low voter turnout; and a growing sense of squalor in our neighborhoods and on the street.

“It’s a malaise,” said one salon participant. “We are losing so many of the little things that used to make us unique, including once-effective leadership.”

There were also bright spots.

Millennials are coming of age and getting interested in politics. Hawaiian language is resurgent and the culture is being practiced. Women are stepping up to assert their rights and run for office. There is a growing push to clean up the built and unbuilt environments, get off oil and grow more food.

We then took up two other topics: what are the pros and cons of staging a new convention and, if a con con goes forward in 2019, what are some of the proposals and agendas that will likely surface?

High Hopes And Dark Fears

Where you stand depends on where you sit. Translated, people tend to make policy choices and adhere to political strategies that serve their own organizational and personal interests.

Salon participants recognized this. We knew that the potential pros and cons of a future con con will always be tinged with our own hopes and fears that, in turn, link back to our political, social and ideological preferences.

Nonetheless, we thought hard, talked long, generated lists, and then boiled our ideas down to a few top ideas.

A con con in 2019 has the potential to:

redefine, restructure and streamline the role of state government, devolve authority, increase accountability and reduce costs;

rekindle and spark improved citizen participation. It may get people engaged, create needed conversations and offer more direct involvement in the exercise of democracy;

reaffirm old values with the use of new technologies; and

spark a new generation of political leaders.

On the other hand, a new con con creates dangers. It could potentially:

be hijacked or captured by entrenched interests, some supported by offshore political groups;

erode some of the gains achieved in 1968 and 1978: Native Hawaiian rights; land and water rights; collective bargaining; and others;

reignite old culture wars about same sex marriage, reproductive rights, death with dignity, locals vs. mainlanders, Hawaiians vs. haoles;

defeat the emergence of a new political generation if it comes to be dominated by current politicians and officeholders; and

be a waste of time since the bar for passing any measures that come from a con con were made impossibly high by the Legislature after 1978.

Inevitably, all of our hopes and fears about a future con con will link to specific constitutional changes that might be proposed. Here are some examples. These are provided only for illustrative purposes to show the range of potential proposals and debates.

A new con con could:

require easy-to-understand, plain English annual financial reports that include income, expenses, assets and liabilities;

provide for the eventual dissolution of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs or, alternatively, create the transition to a sovereign state-within-a-state;

ensure full autonomy for the University of Hawaii and insulate it from legislative meddling or, make it easier to meddle;

decentralize the public school system into multiple districts, or reinforce centralized schooling authority;

establish new county taxing and “home rule” authorities, or reduce their independence;

create a unicameral legislature and term limits;

allow for some form of gaming or gambling;

establish the public’s “right to know”;

eliminate the Blaine Amendment (a provision in the Hawaii Constitution that prohibits the government from directly funding religious schools) and allow public funds for private religious schools;

require public funding for water sourcing on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands properties; and

decriminalize marijuana.

The 17 participants in the Con-Con Salon took no positions on any of these topics or issues. We generated the list only to serve as examples of what could come on the table for debate if a new convention is authorized.

What the salon does advocate is this: As the con con debate ramps up ahead of the Nov. 6 ballot question, embrace the discussion, weigh the choices and create your own safe places to discuss the issue with respect and civility.

The health of a democratic society, observed Alexis de Tocqueville in 1835, is really measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.

It’s up to you. Get some friends and neighbors together, bring some food, talk story about a future con con, and invite your candidates for office to come and tell you exactly where they stand.

Others in this series:

• “Should We Open The Door To Changing How State Government Runs?”

• “Before Deciding On A New Constitutional Convention, Consider Those Held Before”

• “What A Constitutional Convention Might Cost Hawaii Taxpayers”

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