1840 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii

The 1840 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii titled "Ke Kumukānāwai a me nā Kānāwai o ko Hawai’i Pae ‘Āina, Honolulu, 1840" was the first fully written constitution for the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. The need for a constitution was originally intended as a manner of laws set fourth to control the Native Hawaiian population with a Western style and legal framework, giving less severe punishments such as being exile than was the traditional custom until the 1840s. Christianity had failed to change many behaviors of the Hawaiian population, even with the support of the aliʻi families. Adultery and many other sexual relations became forbidden. Hawaiians were arrested and sentenced to severe punishments that were not well organised. The exiled had little food and could easily swim away from the islands and the prison at Honolulu Fort. The issue became worse as fewer pardons from the aliʻi were available, and the overall sentencing then became much more severe for the native population.^[1]

Overview

The constitution was enacted on October 8, 1840 by King Kamehameha III and Kekāuluohi as Kuhina Nui, an office similar to Prime Minister or co-regent. The constitution, compared to its predecessor, was extremely detailed. The June 7, 1839 document, sometimes called a constitution but more similar to a declaration of rights, stated simply that the government was based on Christian values and equality for all.^[2] Incorporating the 1839 document, the 1840 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawai’i was a turning point in Hawai’i government.

This constitution organized the power of government and its functions by defining the House of Representatives as the legislative body, giving their people the power to vote, proclaiming the House of Kamehameha, establishingof the office of Kuhina Nui, creating of the office of royal governors of the various islands and recognizing Christianity as an authority.

Strong Christian values played an enormous role in the Kingdom of Hawai'i, as represented by the constitution.

Amendments

It could be changed by section 13, which gave the House of Nobles and the House of Representative the ability to change the constitution.

References

1. Sally Engle Merry (2000). Colonizing Hawai'i: The Cultural Power of Law. Princeton University Press. p. 76. ISBN 0-691-00932-5.
2. Richard H. Kosaki (1978). "Constitutions and Constitutional Conventions of Hawaii". Hawaiian Journal of History 12 (Hawaii Historical Society). pp. 120–138. hdl:10524/196.

• Daws, Gavan (1974), Shoal of Time: A History of the Hawaiian Islands (Paperback ed.), University of Hawaii Press, ISBN 0-8248-0324-8.
• Cachola, Jean Iwata; Burningham, Robin Yoko (1995), Kamehameha III: Kauikeaouli, Kamehameha Schools Press, ISBN 0-87336-033-8.

External links

• 1839 and 1840 Constitutions (scanned images)
• 1839 Constitution (Full text, with access to an English translation, and other resources)
• 1840 Constitution (Full text, with access to an English translation, and other resources)