Honoring the legacy of the United States Constitution and promoting the importance of citizenship, Governor Josh Green has officially declared September 17 as Constitution and Citizenship Day in Hawaiʻi. This day, marking the signing of the U.S. Constitution back in 1787, shines a spotlight on the island state's constitutional history, which includes Hawaiʻi's first written constitution established in 1840. According to a press release from the Hawaii State Judiciary, the day is meant to encourage Hawaiʻi's residents to reflect on democratic values and an individual's rights within the framework of civic participation.
The state's commitment to civic education is further highlighted by the support of the Commission to Promote and Advance Civic Education (PACE), which was established by the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. Through collaboration with schools and other civic entities, PACE is engaged in providing educational opportunities centered around democratic ideals and active citizenship. Marking the occasion, special programs and lessons are to be conducted in schools across the state, fostering a deeper comprehension and appreciation of Hawaiʻi's constitutional tenets. "Never has civic education been more important for the state of Hawaiʻi and the nation in raising the next generation of good citizens and civic leaders," Governor Green said, as reported by the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary.
Acknowledging the governor's initiative, Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Justice Lisa Ginoza expressed her gratitude. Representing PACE, Justice Ginoza emphasized the crucial role civics education plays in upholding the freedoms and rights outlined in both the U.S. and Hawaiʻi Constitutions. She reiterated that "active citizenship—through learning, participation, and civil engagement with each other—ensures that the important principles in our U.S. and Hawaiʻi Constitutions endure," a sentiment captured by the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary's recent statement.
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