Hawaii Senate Bill SB196

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/21
• Refer: 1/25/21
• Report Pass: 2/5/21
• Refer: 2/5/21
• Refer: 2/8/21

Caption

Proposing An Amendment To The Hawaii State Constitution To Require The Reapportionment Commission To Establish A Reapportionment Plan To Draw District Lines For The Members Of The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs Board Of Trustees.

Impact

The proposed amendment seeks to impact state laws related to the governance of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) by establishing a clearer and more structured method for selecting trustees based on population distribution. It also aims to ensure that no single basic island unit is underrepresented, maintaining at least one trustee from each unit. This change could enhance engagement and representation for Hawaii's native population, reinforcing trust in the OHA's governance structure and its accountability to the communities it serves.

Summary

Senate Bill 196 proposes an amendment to the Hawaii State Constitution requiring the Reapportionment Commission to formulate a reapportionment plan that establishes district lines for the members of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The bill emphasizes the need for equitable representation by ensuring that the average number of residents per trustee is approximately equal across districts, reflecting the population distribution within the basic island units of Hawaii. This amendment aims to enhance the electoral process and representation of Hawaiian people, aligning the Board's composition with the population metrics of the islands.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SB 196 appears to be generally supportive, particularly among advocates for native Hawaiian rights and representation. Proponents argue that the bill serves to ensure fair representation and reflect the diverse demographics of the Hawaiian population, which has historically faced challenges in political visibility. However, there may be some contention regarding how the district lines are drawn and concerns about maintaining existing community relationships and identities while adhering to the new reapportionment criteria.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB 196 focus on the criteria used for establishing district lines and the potential for political manipulation in the redistricting process. The bill outlines specific guidelines intended to prevent partisan bias in the drawing of district boundaries, yet critics may still express concerns over the possibility of tokenism or the dilution of community representation. The requirement for districts to follow easily recognizable geographical features addresses some of these concerns, but the implementation and effect of amendments could be a subject of ongoing debate.