1840 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom facts for kids
The 1840 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom was a very important document. It was the first complete written set of rules for the government of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Its Hawaiian name was Ke Kumukānāwai a me nā Kānāwai o ko Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina, Honolulu, 1840. This new constitution helped create a Western-style legal system. It aimed to make punishments less harsh than older traditions.
How the 1840 Hawaiian Constitution Began
King Kamehameha III and Kekāuluohi officially put the 1840 Constitution into action. This happened on October 8, 1840. Kekāuluohi held the title of Kuhina Nui. This role was much like a Prime Minister or a co-leader.
This new constitution was very detailed. It was much more complete than an earlier document from 1839. That 1839 paper was more like a declaration of rights. It simply said the government should follow Christian values and treat everyone equally. The 1840 Constitution included ideas from this earlier document. It marked a big change for the government of Hawaiʻi.
What the Constitution Organized
The 1840 Constitution clearly set up how the government would work. It defined the different parts of the government.
- It created the House of Representatives as the main law-making group.
- It gave people the power to vote for their representatives.
- It officially recognized the House of Kamehameha as the royal family.
- It established the important office of Kuhina Nui.
- It created the job of royal governors for each island.
- It recognized Christianity as an important part of authority.
Changing the Constitution
The 1840 Constitution could be changed. Section 13 of the document explained how. It gave the House of Nobles and the House of Representatives the power to make changes. This meant the rules could be updated as needed.
