It's your ConCon. What do you want to do with it? Learn - Discuss - Decide

Blog Posts Across HawaiiConCon.org

In Opposing A Vote On Rail, Hawaii Democrats Have Forsaken Core Party Values

Earlier this year, scores of Hawaii Democrats rolled on the floor laughing and delighted themselves as the Hawaii Republican Party imploded over their party platform and leaders. As conservative mujahedeen declared political jihad against the party elephant trainers and zookeepers, members of the Hawaii Democratic Party shook their heads and reassured one another, “This type of hypocrisy is precisely why we’re Democrats. We stick together, we are united, and like Obama, we are the voice of the p… Continue

Posted by Daniel de Gracia II on July 20, 2008 at 10:00am — No Comments

Della’s Question of the Week #8: How many delegates should be elected to a Constitutional Convention?

Turning away from substantive issues, this week’s question is prompted by Lt. Governor Duke Aiona’s ConCon Cost Task Force. At the Task Force’s June 26, 2008, meeting, State Budget and Finance Director Georgina Kawamura’s representative reported on some initial cost projections based on 25, 51, 76, and 102 delegates.

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Posted by Della Au Belatti on July 3, 2008 at 7:30am — 13 Comments

Della's Question of the Week #7: Should a citizen’s right to vote be explicitly amended into the Hawaii State Constitution?

This week’s question is prompted, in part, by Governor Linda Lingle’s placement of Senate Bill 156, Conference Draft 1 (2008) on her potential veto list. This bill would allow for permanent absentee voting, an electoral reform that has been championed by many advocates, including AARP Hawaii, as a means to improve access to the ballot, especially for those seniors who take advantage of voting by mail. This question is also prompted by the adoption of a “Resolution Supporting an Amendment to the… Continue

Posted by Della Au Belatti on June 24, 2008 at 11:30pm — 1 Comment

Della’s Question of the Week #6: Can a ConCon bring more transparency to and improve the State budget-making process?

Opinion Polls & Market Research…

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Posted by Della Au Belatti on June 18, 2008 at 1:30pm — 2 Comments

A ConCon is a shareholder’s meeting

Although my involvement with HawaiiConCon.org is mostly from a technical and perspective, I could not help but try to come up with a “Computer Minute” of what a Constitutional Convention (ConCon) really is and why it is a unique government function. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far and I’d love to get your feedback on it by commenting on my blog at HawaiiConCon.org: A ConCon is very much like a b… Continue

Posted by Peter Kay on June 16, 2008 at 8:30pm — 1 Comment

June 12, 2008 Member Update

This week we have a very hot topic related to Della’s question of the week #5 as it relates to addressing Hawaii’s energy needs. Can a ConCon help? Please join this extremely important discussion and give us your input. I hope you’re all enjoying the onset of the summer season. It’s extremely rewarding to see how the HawaiiConCon.org community is maturing. We’re at 150 members strong and growing. New video… Continue

Posted by Peter Kay on June 12, 2008 at 10:27pm — No Comments

Della's Question of the Week #5: Can a ConCon address the energy crisis Hawaii is facing?

Now, I know that this post will generate some buzz among you free market folks out there, but I'm going to put this question out anyway. And I hope all you folks out there who worry about climate change, peak oil, and global warming will jump into the fray! This weekend, my husband and I watched 11th Hour, an amazing documentary/call to action when you consider the energy and natural resource challenges we are witnessing all over the worl… Continue

Posted by Della Au Belatti on June 11, 2008 at 2:46am — 22 Comments

Forum format changed

Some of you may have noticed that our forums look a little bit different. The layout was changed to be chronological as opposed to threaded. I think this will make them a little easier to follow. Please feel free to leave your feedback comments here. Continue

Posted by Peter Kay on June 7, 2008 at 8:03am — 2 Comments

Della's Question of the Week #4: Can a ConCon propose ethics reforms?

We’ve got 23 more questions to go until Election Day 2008. I thought it would be a good time to begin exploring issues - either issues raised here at this website, at other public forums, or in the many discussions I have had with individuals on all things ConCon. Improving ethics in government is one issue that comes up frequently as a reason to have a ConCon.

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Posted by Della Au Belatti on June 2, 2008 at 12:42am — 7 Comments

Additional ConCon site to help inform you - www.itstimehawaii.com

There is a growing chorus of groups and individuals forming to educate the voters of Hawaii about the question on the ballot concerning the Con-Con. Check us out at http://www.itstimehawaii.com ! WHO WE ARE It’s Time Hawaii is a group of Hawaii residents, representing all the islands, who have organized to effect a majority YES vote for a constitutional convention in the upcoming general election on November 4th. None of us holds an elected office, nor is any of us running for one. We do not,… Continue

Posted by Mark R. Spengler on June 1, 2008 at 10:17pm — 1 Comment

Reason for ConCon

True back in 98 and true today: To take control back to the People we must be able to vote on issues that the legislature will not address, that is initiative. via Warner Kimo Sutton - 1978 Constitutional Convention Delegate . Don't be Conned about ConCon … Continue

Posted by Crystal on May 31, 2008 at 10:00am — 4 Comments

Aloha!

I will be using this blog as a place for clips and links I find useful as well as thoughts regarding the ConCon and the road to a Concon. Continue

Posted by Crystal on May 31, 2008 at 9:44am — No Comments

Hawaii Constitutional Definition of Marriage

Opinion Polls & Market Research…

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Posted by Al Beeman on May 28, 2008 at 8:22pm — 4 Comments

Initiative, Referendum, and Recall Poll

Opinion Polls & Market Research…

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Posted by Al Beeman on May 28, 2008 at 8:05pm — No Comments

Proposed Changes to the Hawaii Legislature Poll

Opinion Polls & Market Research…

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Posted by Al Beeman on May 28, 2008 at 6:31pm — 1 Comment

Summarizing thinking at HawaiiConCon

This blog will be a series of polls on topics being discussed on the ConCon forums in an attempt to get a sense of what the members are thinking: Continue

Posted by Al Beeman on May 28, 2008 at 5:46pm — No Comments

Board of Education Poll

Opinion Polls & Market Research…

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Posted by Al Beeman on May 28, 2008 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Member update for May 28th, 2008

Aloha Kakou, Thanks to YOU, our demonstration of e-democracy is booming! As of today we have 134 members, more than the number of delegates in the 1978 ConCon. I would love to gather some kind of metric that compares the volume of discussions we’ve been having online to the ones that occurred in ’78 as I’m sure we will pass that milestone rapidly. If anyone has any ideas as to how to measure online vs. in-person activity, please let… Continue

Posted by Peter Kay on May 27, 2008 at 11:40pm — No Comments

Della's Question of the Week #3: Should the election of delegates occur by special election in 2009 or at the 2010 general election?

At the recent Democratic State Convention, I had hoped that Democrats would discuss this question as part of the Committee and General Floor deliberations. Unfortunately, debate on the ConCon was generally stifled and we were never able to deliberate this question – so, I thought I would throw it out for discussion at HawaiiConCon.org.

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Posted by Della Au Belatti on May 25, 2008 at 10:45pm — 7 Comments

Does Barrack Obama's message apply to us?

Regardless of your political position, you can't help but be inspired by the movement known as Barrack Obama. I recently found this anti-ConCon web site which was apparently launched in response to ours (when in fact our web site officially does not take a position either for or against ConCon). I've made it a point to welcome all folks to our site regardless of their position, so I quickly went to their blog and… Continue

Posted by Peter Kay on May 20, 2008 at 11:25pm — 10 Comments

Constitutional Points to consider

I suggest everyone read the excellent op-ed in the Time for a tune-up Advertiser by Jon M. Van Dyke, a constitutional law professor @ UH. Near the end of the article, he poses a collection of potential issues to re-examine. Thanks to the consistent urging of member Rick M. for "specific proposals", I thoug… Continue

Posted by Peter Kay on May 19, 2008 at 12:00am — 3 Comments

Della's Question of the Week #2: Is it TIME for a Con Con?

This question is, in part, raised by the newly created ItsTimeHawaii.com advocacy group that is urging voters to vote "Yes" on the Con Con question on November 4, 2008. Constitutional conventions were convened in 1950, 1968 and 1978 - at three very different times and for different reasons in our State's history. The 1950 Con Con was convened when Hawaii was a Territory to demonstrate to the rest of the United States that we were re… Continue

Posted by Della Au Belatti on May 18, 2008 at 9:25pm — 2 Comments

Randy Roth on Hawaii Politics

Aloha everybody! There's a great commentary by Randy Roth in the current "Honolulu" magazine. Everybody who's thinking about a con-con ought to read it. Professor Roth paints a sobering picture of the secretive monolith that is Hawaii government. Continue

Posted by John Mussack on May 18, 2008 at 12:13pm — 2 Comments

Think Before You Write

I’m glad to see that lots of folks are sharing their ideas. If I had a choice between having a lot of discussion that I didn’t particularly agree with vs. having very little discussion that I completely agree with, I’d take the former. When I read some of the comments that some people leave, I wonder if their authors carefully considered their position before they wrote it. Some of the "proposals" are incredibly controversial and wouldn't have a snowballs chance on Kilauea to even be considered… Continue

Posted by Peter Kay on May 17, 2008 at 10:04am — 21 Comments

Right to Work

The ConCon is a great opportunity to get Right to Work into the constitution. Unions have much too much power in Hawaii and this will cut their line. Continue

Posted by Rick M. on May 17, 2008 at 6:49am — 23 Comments

Our 100th member joins!

We nearly have enough members (100) as there were delegates in the previous ConCon (102). A special Mahalo Nui to Keola who now is the proud (historic?) holder of that centennial title! You should walk on over and leave a message on his page. This is just the beginning folks. We're less than a month old and the ConCon discussion has just begun. Continue

Posted by Peter Kay on May 13, 2008 at 10:52am — No Comments

Della's Question of the Week #1: Should there be a ConCon?

With there being 26 weeks until Election Day 2008, I thought it would be meaningful to start a "Question of the Week" for the HawaiiConCon.org eCommunity. There are, of course, many questions being asked and answered throughout this website, but I also thought that this question would allow me to experiment with blogging and e-polling since I've not done much of these before HawaiiConCon.org. (Thanks to the encouragement of my new tech-geek friends - sorry if I don't have the terminology correct… Continue

Posted by Della Au Belatti on May 12, 2008 at 12:00am — 8 Comments

They bicker over studying ConCon while we've already started a virtual ConCon.

I just read this article, "Two panels to review ConCon cost factors - Legislator criticizes Lingle's task force for duplication of effort" and reflected on how much fun we are already having and will have in the future. The two political parties have already begun criticizing each other over ConCon. While they bicker over how to conduct a study, our members have essentially already be… Continue

Posted by Peter Kay on May 8, 2008 at 12:00pm — 1 Comment

Fixing Hawaii's Traffic Crisis

(cross posting from the transportation group) I have two thoughts in this area: A) We should cap the total number of cars on each island. Our islands have a finite capacity for large gas guzzling vehicles. Its time to recogni… Continue

Posted by Daniel Leuck on May 8, 2008 at 7:30am — 6 Comments

Article XIII - The Source of Many Problems with Hawaii's Governments

During the last con con I watched our former governor skillfully cast in stone the dual demons of government employee unionism coupled with civil service status. His law firm at that time represented both the HGEA and the UPW. This article bears serious scrutiny. Continue

Posted by Richard A. Heaton on May 2, 2008 at 4:01pm — 6 Comments

ConCon activity update

Lots of wonderful things have been happening on HawaiiConCon.org. We’re now up to 54 members in just a little over a week since our “soft launch”. Folks are debating ConCon issues and proposing changes more than anyplace else I know of online. Topics like term limits… Continue

Posted by Peter Kay on April 30, 2008 at 11:00pm — No Comments

Personal experience at ConCon 101 meeting

(Please know that this is my Personal view and does not represent the view of HawaiiConCon.org, which is a policy-neutral organization). I’m really glad I attended the ConCon 101 forum tonight. Hopefully we’ll get a video/audio of the event to share. I felt that I took away some extremely significant insights: ConCon delegates were regular people, not career politicians. I think the biggest thing that… Continue

Posted by Peter Kay on April 28, 2008 at 11:56pm — 3 Comments

What's Wrong with the DOE

My observations of the DOE in a nutshell - What’s wrong with the DOE is not a lack of funds, bad teachers, the diversity of the students, lack of arts and music, etc. If you correct all those problems, the DOE will still be failing miserably. What’s wrong with the DOE is a straightforward sociology textbook lesson. It is a “maternalistic organization”: - it’s run like a social club - job performance is not supervised - its work culture revolves around interpersonal relationships in… Continue

Posted by John Mussack on April 25, 2008 at 6:00pm — 11 Comments

To Con Con Or Not To Con Con?

Aloha! It's great to get going on a real Con Con discussion. In that spirit, I've summarized below in discussion form the main arguments I've heard so far for and against a Con Con. I agree with some and disagree with others, but mainly hope this'll spark your own thoughts and comments about whether to Con Con or not to Con Con. PRO: Our Hawai'i Constitution establishes our fundamental principles and goals in governing ourselves, the basics of how we do so, and the overall organization and ope… Continue

Posted by Ed Case on April 20, 2008 at 8:25am — 10 Comments

Historic day?

Today we sat in Jay Fidell's office while he let the video camera roll first on Ed Case, Burt Lum, me, Ryan Ozawa, and then Jay himself. After everyone left, Jay and I had a chat on camera about what this site means. I think I told this to Ryan as we were wrapping things up: I have a sense that this may be a historic moment. Of course historical kinda stuff can only be seen in hindsight, but there were, a seasoned politician, lawyer, and 3 geeks, all come together to share a dream of a better f… Continue

Posted by Peter Kay on April 19, 2008 at 12:49am — 3 Comments

Features for this site

The site is still new/developing. The basic functionality is: Wiki: Like Wikipedia, everyone can participate to add information about ConCon Member Publishing: Membership is free and every member can publish their own blog and have their own profile page. Discussion Forums: Discuss and debate various issues related to ConCon and even informally propose constitutional amendments. Interest groups: Key potential issues like the Environment, Education, Taxes, and Land… Continue

Posted by Peter Kay on April 16, 2008 at 8:50pm — 1 Comment