Talk:Governor of Hawaii

Education authority
Included within the governor's sphere of jurisdiction is complete authority over the monolithic statewide public education system...

Don't understand this one. If the Governor appointed the superintendent or the Board of Education, then there's a clear chain of command. But in reality the superintendent reports to the Board, which reports to the voters...no clear chain of command here. Though the governor has budget control and thus considerable influence over the DOE, it seems the governor's authority is far from complete. So I excised it for now, pending clarification. --KeithH 21:19, 9 Aug 2004 (UTC)

Structure of State Government
Is there really a state where Governor is considered to be a part-time job? Not legislator, not lieutenant govnernor, but the governorship itself? I don't think so! Also, it is incorrect that Hawai'i is the only state where the governorship is the only statewide elected office. This is true of Tennessee as well, and may be true of a few other states. I am going to wait a little while to make edits, but if no one says anything to the contrary these passages will be gone soon.

Rlquall 18:08, 15 Sep 2004 (UTC)


 * I was remember watching a Bill O'Reilly interview in 2002 or 2003 with Governor Lingle and it was noted there that Hawaii was the only state with one statewide elected office. And if I recall correctly, the two major Hawaii newspapers also regard the state as such quite often.  --James Easton 04:07, 17 Sep 2004 (UTC)

The only other statewide "elected" officials in Tennessee are the Supreme Court justices, and they aren't elected in the traditional sense, they're just put on the ballot for "Yes-No" confirmation by the voters. This is not because the Tennessee governorship, although quite powerful in some areas, is as much of an "elective monarchy" as the Hawai'i governorship. The Tennessee Secretary of State is elected by the legislature, as are the Treasurer and Secretary of State. The Lieutenant Governor is elected by the State Senate from among its own membership, and the Supreme Court selects the Attorney General. But the only statewide elected postion is governor, and has been ever since the Public Service Commission was replaced by an appointive regulatory body. Perhaps the Star-Bulletin and the Advertiser are just behind the times on this (it happened years ago). I'll leave it for now, but unless I get a good explanation of why it's right, it needs to be changed.

Also, I need you or someone to tell me which states are governed by part-time governors. That doesn't make any sense at all, and I would like it to be justified as well.

Rlquall 12:46, 17 Sep 2004 (UTC)


 * In New Jersey, I'm pretty sure the Governor alone is elected by the State. The Judiciary never appears on a ballot... 68.39.174.238 23:18, 9 February 2006 (UTC)
 * New Jersey has amended its constitution to have a Lieutenant Governor - but since other articles say Hawai'i also has one, Unlike all but one other state in the Union (Tennessee), Hawaii has only one elected statewide officer in the Governor of Hawaii. still seems doubtful. Also, judges need not be elected statewide even in those states which elect one. Septentrionalis PMAnderson 18:51, 13 August 2009 (UTC)

One significant controversy which is not discussed is whether Hawaii should continue to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. Obviously, Hawaii isn't next door to Mexico, so limitless amounts of illegal immigrants cannot enter Hawaii as they can Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Nevertheless, it is certainly open to question whether any state should give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants at any time, but more particularly so in an era of terrorism. Driver's licenses are used to vote, to buy firearms, to rent cars, and are almost a de facto indicator of citizenship. Giving licenses to illegals is a big controversy. 70.44.153.24 (talk) 17:34, 23 December 2007 (UTC)
 * We are not here for partisan talking points. Septentrionalis PMAnderson 18:51, 13 August 2009 (UTC)
 * It would seem to be worth footnoting, at a minimum. Also, sign your posts Bsharkey (talk) 22:33, 2 December 2009 (UTC)

Disputed

 * The comment about "very little devolved authority" doesn't seem to make much sense with the claim that all DMV authority is at the county level.


 * "Hawaii is the only state that has no direct voter involvement in either the selection or retention of judges." — What, exactly does "voter involvement" in the "selection" entail? Does voter creation of the State upper house count? If so, does that mean that governorial appointment of judicaturiates is total and they don't have to have the "consent of the senate" ? If not, and it just means that they aren't subject to election or retention, Hawai'i is FAR from the only State that does it like that. 68.39.174.238 23:18, 9 February 2006 (UTC)


 * Fixed the last comment. A check of Hawaii Supreme Court refuted the last problem. The devolved authority comment still needs attention.


 * The statement "Unlike all but one other state in the Union (Tennessee), Hawaiʻi has only one elected statewide officer in the Governor of Hawaiʻi." Not true, the Lieutenant Governor is also elected in a statewide election.  In the general election the Governor and Lieutenant Governor run together as a ticket like the US President and Vice President do, but this does not change the fact that the Lieutenant Governor is elected statewide.  In addition, the Lieutenant Governor runs in a statewide primary election separate from the Governor in order to secure the party nomination.  Also, four trusties of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs are elected in a statewide vote.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.91.46.171 (talk) 11:19, 16 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Good point on the Lt. Governor - will fix. However, not sure if I agree with the OHA trustee comment, as their structure is more like the Board of Education, not as a single elected official. KeithH (talk) 21:54, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

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