HI
Hawaii House Bill HB597
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HB597

Introduced
1/21/25  

Caption

Proposing An Amendment To Article I Of The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Recognize And Protect The Inherent And Inalienable Right Of The People To Clean Water And Air, A Healthful Environment And Climate, Healthy Native Ecosystems, And Beaches.

Impact

If enacted, the amendment could significantly alter the legal landscape regarding environmental protection in Hawaii. It establishes a constitutional basis for citizens to claim their rights to a healthy environment, potentially leading to increased legal challenges against practices or policies that threaten these rights. Additionally, the amendment's focus on both present and future generations emphasizes a long-term view on environmental stewardship, encompassing broader implications for land use and resource management policies throughout the state.

Summary

House Bill 597 is a proposed amendment to Article I of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii, aimed at recognizing and ensuring the inherent and inalienable rights of the people to clean water, clean air, a healthy environment, native ecosystems, and beaches. This bill emphasizes the importance of environmental protection and aligns with the values of Aloha Aina, which resonates deeply within Hawaiian culture and traditions, indicating a cultural commitment to land stewardship. The proposed amendment complements existing constitutional protections and aims to reinforce the preservation and sustainability of both human health and natural resources.

Contention

While the bill has garnered considerable support from environmental advocacy groups and those aligned with Native Hawaiian cultural values, it could also face opposition from stakeholders concerned about the implications of such protections. Critics may argue that the amendment could constrain economic development or pose challenges for industries reliant on natural resources, potentially leading to legal disputes over environmental regulations. There is a need for a balanced approach that considers both the urgency of environmental protections and economic interests, indicating that the discussions around HB 597 may be complex and multifaceted as they unfold.

Companion Bills

HI HB597

Carry Over Proposing An Amendment To Article I Of The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Recognize And Protect The Inherent And Inalienable Right Of The People To Clean Water And Air, A Healthful Environment And Climate, Healthy Native Ecosystems, And Beaches.

Previously Filed As

HI HB597

Proposing An Amendment To Article I Of The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Recognize And Protect The Inherent And Inalienable Right Of The People To Clean Water And Air, A Healthful Environment And Climate, Healthy Native Ecosystems, And Beaches.

HI SB559

Proposing An Amendment To Article I Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Recognize And Protect The Inherent And Inalienable Right Of All People To Clean Water And Air, A Healthful Environment And Climate, Healthy Native Ecosystems, And Beaches.

HI SB702

Proposing An Amendment To Article I Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Recognize And Protect The Inherent And Inalienable Right Of All People To Clean Water And Air, A Healthful Environment And Climate, Healthy Native Ecosystems, And Beaches.

HI HCR48

Encouraging Future Legislatures To Pass A Proposed Constitutional Amendment, And The Electorate To Ratify The Proposed Amendment, Guaranteeing All Individuals The Right To A Clean And Healthy Environment And A Stable Climate.

HI HR44

Encouraging Future Legislatures To Pass A Proposed Constitutional Amendment, And The Electorate To Ratify The Proposed Amendment, Guaranteeing All Individuals The Right To A Clean And Healthy Environment And A Stable Climate.

HI HR124

Reaffirming The State's Obligation To Uphold The Constitutional Rights Of Its People By Recognizing The Critical Role Of Freshwater In Maintaining Healthy Nearshore Marine Ecosystems.

HI HCR128

Reaffirming The State's Obligation To Uphold The Constitutional Rights Of Its People By Recognizing The Critical Role Of Freshwater In Maintaining Healthy Nearshore Marine Ecosystems.

HI SB1284

Proposing An Amendment To Article 1, Section 5, Of The Hawaii Constitution Relating To Due Process And Equal Protection.

HI SB297

Proposing A Constitutional Amendment To The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Protect The Right To Reproductive Freedom.

HI SB124

Proposing Amendments To Article Iv, Sections 4 And 6, Of The Hawaii State Constitution Regarding Reapportionment.

Similar Bills

LA HB472

(Constitutional Amendment) Revises Article VII of the Constitution of La. (OR -$139,000,000 GF RV See Note)

NJ ACR123

Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.

NJ SCR75

Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.

NJ SCR43

Proposes constitutional amendment authorizing Legislature to invalidate certain court decisions.

LA HB244

(Constitutional Amendment) Provides for the election of constitutional convention delegates and vote requirements necessary for the adoption of a new constitution (RR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

LA HB678

(Constitutional Amendment) Modifies disposition of certain state revenues through repeal of the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund and deposits of certain revenue streams into the Budget Stabilization Fund (RRF INCREASE GF RV See Note)

LA HB473

(Constitutional Amendment) Provides relative to the application of state monies to the unfunded accrued liability of the Teachers' Retirement System of La. (EN DECREASE SD RV See Note)

HI SB1225

Proposing An Amendment To Article Xvii, Section 3 Of The Hawaii Constitution To Specify That The Standard For Voter Approval Of A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By The Legislature Is A Majority Of All The Votes Tallied Upon The Question.