This Day in
History

On this day in 1840, the Kingdom of Hawai’i, now the U.S. state Hawaii, created the Constitution of 1840. Written by King Kamehameha Kekauluohi III and his advisors, it gave all citizens equal rights, as denoted by the first paragraph: "’God hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on the earth,’ in unity and blessedness. God has also bestowed certain rights alike on all men and all chiefs, and all people of all lands.” The document also discusses the government of the area, as well as its judicial system, its “House of Nobles” (governors of each island), tax officers and much more.

The document also considers Jehovah (God) and that “no law shall be enacted which is at variance with the word of the Lord Jehovah, or at variance with the general spirit of His word.” However, it also states that “all men of every religion shall be protected in worshipping Jehovah, and serving Him, according to their own understanding.” Another thing that it states is that the government will not punish people who do not worship Jehovah, as long as they do not harm the people or the kingdom.

It also states that no citizen will be punished until they are sent to court, or if there is no proof of the crime. However, the citizen may be punished if they commit any crime against the constitution. Also, it dictates that no law can be passed that can allow any citizen the right to injure another person.

Finally, the last paragraph of the constitution concerned changes to the constitution. Similar to the modern U.S. constitution’s amendments, new laws can be suggested by the people, but must be approved by the legislature (the House of Nobles).

It was signed by the king at Honolulu, the capital of the kingdom—and now the United States.

 

Sources: History.com, Department of Accounting and General Services (Hawaii), Wikipedia.com