HB597 • 2026

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.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: POEPOE, AMATO, GRANDINETTI, IWAMOTO, KAHALOA, LAMOSAO, LOWEN, MARTEN, PERRUSO
Last action: 2025-12-08
Official status: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not explicitly mention including future generations, but it is implied by the bill's intent to protect 'present and future generations'.

Amending Hawaii's Constitution to Protect the Environment

This bill proposes an amendment to Hawaii's constitution to protect people's inherent right to clean water, air, a healthy environment and climate, native ecosystems, and beaches.

What This Bill Does

Adds a new section to Article I of Hawaii’s Constitution to recognize and protect the inherent rights of its residents.
Ensures that these rights include access to clean water and air, a healthful environment and climate, healthy native ecosystems, and beaches.
States that these rights cannot be taken away or infringed upon by anyone.

Who It Names or Affects

All residents of Hawaii
Future generations of Hawaii's residents

Terms To Know

inalienable right: A fundamental freedom or entitlement that cannot be taken away by anyone.
environmental rights: Rights related to the protection of natural resources and ecosystems.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill needs approval from voters before it can become part of Hawaii's constitution.
It does not specify how these environmental protections will be enforced or funded.

Bill History

2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-01-21 H
Referred to EEP/WAL, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 2
2025-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-17 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

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.
Constitutional Amendment; Environmental Protection (ConAm)
Proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure that the inherent and inalienable right of the people, including present and future generations, to clean water and air, a healthful environment and climate, healthy native ecosystems, and beaches shall be protected and shall not be infringed.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB597

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

597

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

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
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION
1.
�
The purpose of this Act is to propose
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, which shall not be infringed.

����
This
proposed amendment reflects the rooted traditions and collective cultural
conscience of the State's people, and exemplifies the fundamental Native
Hawaiian notion of Aloha Aina, which translates to "love of the land"
and is central to Native Hawaiian values and beliefs.
�
The amendment will complement existing
constitutional provisions and reinforce protections of human health, natural
and cultural values, and the environment, all of which are essential to the
sustenance of the State as well as the intrinsic beauty of its islands that
attract admiration from persons all over the world.

����
SECTION
2.
�
Article I of the Constitution of the
State of Hawaii is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately
designated and to read as follows:

"
ENVIRONMENTAL
RIGHTS

����
Section
.
�
The inherent and inalienable right of the
people, including present and future generations, to clean water and air, a
healthful environment and climate, healthy native ecosystems and beaches shall
be protected and shall not be infringed.
"

����
SECTION
3.
�
The question to be printed on the
ballot shall be as follows:

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"Shall
the Constitution of the State of Hawaii be amended to ensure the inherent and
inalienable right of the people, including present and future generations, to
clean water and air, a healthful environment and climate, healthy native
ecosystems, and beaches shall be protected and shall not be infringed?"

����
SECTION
4.
�
New constitutional material is
underscored.

����
SECTION 5.
�
This amendment shall take effect upon
compliance with article XVII, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of
Hawaii.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Constitutional
Amendment; Environmental Protection

Description:

Proposes
a constitutional amendment to ensure that the inherent and inalienable right of
the people, including present and future generations, to clean water and air, a
healthful environment and climate, healthy native ecosystems, and beaches shall
be protected and shall not be infringed.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.