Government

Hawaii is governed under its original constitution, which was adopted in 1950 while Hawaii was still a territory. It became effective when statehood was achieved in 1959 and was amended by a constitutional convention in 1968.

The executive branch is headed by a governor elected to a four-year term. The lieutenant governor is also elected for four years. The legislature consists of a Senate of 25 members and a House of Representatives of 51 members. State senators are elected for four years, representatives for two years. The judiciary is headed by a five-member Supreme Court; judges are appointed by the governor with the approval of the Senate.

Hawaii sends two senators and two representatives to the U.S. Congress.

The state has no incorporated cities or towns. Local government is administered by four of Hawaii's five counties—the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui, and the City and County of Honolulu. Kalawao, a settlement on Molokai for persons with Hansen's disease, is called a county but is administered by the state department of health.