Government of Hawaii facts for kids
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| Part of | United States of America |
|---|---|
| Constitution | Constitution of Hawaii |
| Legislative branch | |
| Name | Legislature |
| Type | Bicameral |
| Meeting place | Hawaii State Capitol |
| Upper house | |
| Name | Senate |
| Presiding officer | Ron Kouchi, President |
| Lower house | |
| Name | House of Representatives |
| Presiding officer | Scott Saiki, Speaker |
| Executive branch | |
| Head of State and Government | |
| Title | Governor |
| Currently | Josh Green |
| Appointer | Election |
| Cabinet | |
| Leader | Governor |
| Deputy leader | Lieutenant Governor |
| Headquarters | Hawaii State Capitol |
| Judicial branch | |
| Name | Judiciary of Hawaii |
| Courts | Courts of Hawaii |
| Supreme Court of Hawaii | |
| Chief judge | Mark E. Recktenwald |
| Seat | Honolulu, Hawaii |
The Government of Hawaii (which in Hawaiian is Aupuni o Hawaiʻi) is how the state of Hawaii is run. It's set up by the Constitution of Hawaii. Hawaii was the 50th state to become part of the United States. Just like the U.S. federal government, Hawaii's government has three main parts: the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. These branches work together to make sure the state runs smoothly for everyone living there.
Contents
Executive Branch: Leading the State
The Executive Branch is in charge of carrying out the laws and managing the state's daily operations. Think of it as the "doing" part of the government.
State Leaders
The two most important elected officials in Hawaii's Executive Branch are:
- Governor: The Governor is the head of the state government. They are like the president for the state of Hawaii.
- Lieutenant Governor: The Lieutenant Governor is second in command. They help the Governor and step in if the Governor is away or unable to serve.
Currently, the Governor of Hawaii is Josh Green. The Lieutenant Governor is Sylvia Luke. Both are from the Democratic Party.
State Agencies and Departments
Many different departments and agencies help the Governor manage the state. Each one focuses on a specific area to serve the people of Hawaii. Some of these include:
- Department of Agriculture: This department helps farmers and makes sure our food is safe.
- Department of Education: This group oversees public schools and libraries across the state.
- Department of Health: They work to keep people healthy and safe from diseases.
- Department of Transportation: This department manages roads, airports, and harbors.
- University of Hawaii: This is the state's public university system, offering higher education.
Some agencies have changed over time. For example, the Department of Public Safety was recently split into two new departments: the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Department of Law Enforcement. This happened in 2024 to better focus on different areas of public safety.
Legislative Branch: Making Laws
The Legislative Branch is responsible for creating the laws for Hawaii. This branch is called the Hawaii State Legislature. It is made up of two parts:
- House of Representatives: This is where elected representatives from different parts of Hawaii work.
- Senate: This is the other part, with senators elected from larger districts.
Both the House and the Senate must agree on a bill before it can become a law.
Judicial Branch: Interpreting Laws
The Judicial Branch is the court system. Its job is to interpret the laws and make sure they are applied fairly. This branch is known as the Hawaii State Judiciary. It includes several different types of courts:
- Supreme Court of Hawaii: This is the highest court in the state.
- Intermediate Court of Appeals: This court reviews decisions made by lower courts.
- Circuit Courts: These courts handle major cases, like serious crimes or large civil disputes.
- Family Courts: These courts deal with family matters, such as divorce or child custody.
- District Courts: These courts handle smaller cases, like traffic violations or minor crimes.
- Land Court: This court deals with issues related to land ownership.
- Tax Appeal Court: This court handles disagreements about taxes.
Independent State Agencies
Some state agencies operate more independently from the main branches of government. One important example is the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. This office works to improve the well-being of Native Hawaiians.
Counties: Local Government
Hawaii is divided into different areas called counties. Each county has its own local government that manages services for its residents. These services can include things like local roads, parks, and police. The five counties in Hawaii are:
- Hawaii County – Its main town is Hilo.
- City and County of Honolulu – Its main town is Honolulu, which is also the state capital.
- Kalawao County – This is the smallest county.
- Kauai County – Its main town is Lihue.
- Maui County – Its main town is Wailuku.
