Hawaiian Organic Act
Encyclopedia
The Hawaiian Organic Act of April 30, 1900 was a United States federal law enacted to provide a government
for the territory of Hawaii
.
who arrived in canoes and spread to the other Hawaiian islands
. After the contact by the British explorer James Cook
the islands became well known and Europeans came and inhabited them. The French government was interested with the islands and wanted to establish Catholicism
. The Kingdom of Hawaii
became more influenced by the United States
which set up trade relations with the Kingdom. After the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893, the new Republic of Hawaii
government lobbied for annexation by the United States. Annexation was approved by president William McKinley
and Hawaii became part of the United States on July 7, 1898.
The United States government decided the new territory should establish a government under laws written by Sydney M. Ballou under the supervision of the legislature.
would be the capital of the Territory of Hawaii
.
, and any citizen of the United States that resided in the island on or after August 12, 1898 would have to live there to become a citizen of the Territory of Hawaii
.
are restored.
or Hawaii Senate
is assaulted, detained or harmed, they will be fined or detained for a maximum of 30 days. This also applies if the person violates or threatens any member of any house.
, felony
, or breach of peace.
created six senatorial districts:
Government of Hawaii
Government of Hawaii may refer to:*Constitution of Hawaii*Ancient Hawaii*Kingdom of Hawaii*Provisional Government of Hawaii*Republic of Hawaii*Territory of Hawaii*State of Hawaii*United States Congressional Delegations from Hawaii...
for the territory of Hawaii
Territory of Hawaii
The Territory of Hawaii or Hawaii Territory was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 7, 1898, until August 21, 1959, when its territory, with the exception of Johnston Atoll, was admitted to the Union as the fiftieth U.S. state, the State of Hawaii.The U.S...
.
Background
The Island of Hawaii was first inhabited by PolynesiansPolynesians
The Polynesian peoples is a grouping of various ethnic groups that speak Polynesian languages, a branch of the Oceanic languages within the Austronesian languages, and inhabit Polynesia. They number approximately 1,500,000 people...
who arrived in canoes and spread to the other Hawaiian islands
Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and undersea seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll...
. After the contact by the British explorer James Cook
James Cook
Captain James Cook, FRS, RN was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer who ultimately rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Navy...
the islands became well known and Europeans came and inhabited them. The French government was interested with the islands and wanted to establish Catholicism
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
. The Kingdom of Hawaii
Kingdom of Hawaii
The Kingdom of Hawaii was established during the years 1795 to 1810 with the subjugation of the smaller independent chiefdoms of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lānai, Kauai and Niihau by the chiefdom of Hawaii into one unified government...
became more influenced by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
which set up trade relations with the Kingdom. After the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893, the new Republic of Hawaii
Republic of Hawaii
The Republic of Hawaii was the formal name of the government that controlled Hawaii from 1894 to 1898 when it was run as a republic. The republic period occurred between the administration of the Provisional Government of Hawaii which ended on July 4, 1894 and the adoption of the Newlands...
government lobbied for annexation by the United States. Annexation was approved by president William McKinley
William McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
and Hawaii became part of the United States on July 7, 1898.
The United States government decided the new territory should establish a government under laws written by Sydney M. Ballou under the supervision of the legislature.
Capital
The Act stated that Honolulu on the island OahuOahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
would be the capital of the Territory of Hawaii
Territory of Hawaii
The Territory of Hawaii or Hawaii Territory was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 7, 1898, until August 21, 1959, when its territory, with the exception of Johnston Atoll, was admitted to the Union as the fiftieth U.S. state, the State of Hawaii.The U.S...
.
Citizenship
The act stated any person that was a citizen of the Republic of Hawaii on or before August 12, 1898 would also be a citizen of the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and any citizen of the United States that resided in the island on or after August 12, 1898 would have to live there to become a citizen of the Territory of Hawaii
Territory of Hawaii
The Territory of Hawaii or Hawaii Territory was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 7, 1898, until August 21, 1959, when its territory, with the exception of Johnston Atoll, was admitted to the Union as the fiftieth U.S. state, the State of Hawaii.The U.S...
.
Abolished offices
Certain offices that the Republic of Hawaii once supported would be abolished and replaced. For example, president, minister of foreign affairs, minister of the interior, minister of finance, minister of public instruction, auditor-general, deputy auditor-general, surveyor-general, marshal, and deputy marshal of the Republic of Hawaii.Laws
All laws in effect in the Republic of Hawaii would continue. Suits will be under the name of the Territory of Hawaii. Finally the act stated that any contracts made since August 12th, 1898 will be nullified and terminated since they are no longer legal binding according to the United States Congress.Elections
Elections would be held on the second Tuesday of November, but the governor can make a special request 30 days in advance for an earlier election.Corruption
An office holder who takes bribes and subdues to any type of corruption will have voting rights repealed and will no longer be allowed to run for any governmental office, unless they are pardoned and civil rightsCivil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
are restored.
Civilian punishment against a Member of the House
If a person from either the Hawaii House of RepresentativesHawaii House of Representatives
The Hawaii House of Representatives is the lower house of the Hawaii State Legislature. Accord to Article III, Section 3 of the Hawaii Constitution, amended during the 1978 constitutional convention, the House of Representatives consists of 51 members representing an equal amount of districts...
or Hawaii Senate
Hawaii Senate
The Hawaii State Senate is the upper chamber of the Hawaii State Legislature. The senate consists of twenty-five members elected from an equal number of constituent districts across the islands. The senate is led by the President of the Senate, elected from the membership of the body, currently...
is assaulted, detained or harmed, they will be fined or detained for a maximum of 30 days. This also applies if the person violates or threatens any member of any house.
Member's salary
Members of either house will be paid $1000 for each general session to which they attend. [Congress] is responsible for such payments from the United States Treasury. A bonus of will be paid to any member who travels any distance for their general session of 20 cents per mile. A final bonus of $500 will be paid to any member who wishes to participate in any special session.Punishments and privileges of legislative members
Any member of the Senate or House of Representatives found guilty disorderly behavior or neglect of duty can be censured or impeached. Any member can be pardoned for any words that he may have said during a general session. Any member can also be pardoned of any crime while he is away on their respective house sessions, unless the crime includes any form of treasonTreason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
, felony
Felony
A felony is a serious crime in the common law countries. The term originates from English common law where felonies were originally crimes which involved the confiscation of a convicted person's land and goods; other crimes were called misdemeanors...
, or breach of peace.
Establishing the Senate
The Senate had 25 members, having a four-year term. When a member of the Senate dies or resigns, a special election or a general election will appoint a new member to replace him.Senatorial districts
The United States SenateUnited States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
created six senatorial districts:
- First District- The part of the Island of HawaiiHawaii (island)The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
known as PunaPuna, HawaiiPuna is one of the nine districts in Hawaii County, Big Island, Hawaii. The District of Puna is located on the easternmost portion of the island and shares borders to the north with the District of South Hilo and a border to the west with the District of Kaū...
, Hilo, and HāmākuaHamakuathumb|right|280px|Districts of [[Hawaii |Hawaii island]]: from northernmost, clockwise; [[Kohala, Hawaii|Kohala]], Hāmākua , [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]], [[Puna, Hawaii|Puna]], [[Kau, Hawaii|Kaū]], [[Kona District, Hawaii|Kona]]...
. - Second District- The second district consist of KaūKau, Hawaiithumb|right|300px|The districts of the [[Hawaii |Big Island]]. From Northernmost, clockwise; [[Kohala, Hawaii|Kohala]], [[Hamakua]], [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]], [[Puna, Hawaii|Puna]], Kau , [[Kona District, Hawaii|Kona]]...
, KonaKona District, HawaiiKona is the name of a moku or district on the Big Island of Hawaii in the State of Hawaii. In the current system of administration of Hawaii County, the moku of Kona is divided into North Kona District and South Kona District . The term "Kona" is sometimes used to refer to its largest town,...
, and KohalaKohalaKohala may refer to:*Kohala, Hawaii, two districts on the island of Hawaii*Kohala , an extinct volcano in Hawaii*Kohala, Pakistan, a city*Kohala Bridge, a bridge*Kohala, Jalandhar a village in Punjab, India...
. - Third District- The islands of MauiMauiThe island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
, MolokaiMolokaiMolokai or Molokai is an island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is 38 by 10 miles in size with a land area of , making it the fifth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands and the 27th largest island in the United States. It lies east of Oahu across the 25-mile wide Kaiwi Channel and north of...
, LānaiLanaiLānai or Lanai is the sixth-largest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is also known as the Pineapple Island because of its past as an island-wide pineapple plantation. The only town is Lānai City, a small settlement....
, KahoolaweKahoolaweKahoolawe is the smallest of the eight main volcanic islands in the Hawaiian Islands. Kahoolawe is located about seven miles southwest of Maui and also southeast of Lanai, and it is long by wide, with a total land area of . The highest point on Kahoolawe is the crater of Lua Makika at the...
. - Fourth District- Part of the island of OahuOahuOahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
, lying east and south of Nuuanu Street and Pali Road. The upper ridge of the Koolau RangeKoolau RangeKoolau Range is a name given to the fragmented remnant of the eastern or windward shield volcano of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. It is not a mountain range in the normal sense, because it was formed as a single mountain called Koolau Volcano...
from the Nuuanu Pali to Makapuu Point. - Fifth District- The rest of OahuOahuOahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
island. - Sixth District- The islands of KauaiKauaiKauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
and NiihauNiihauNiihau or Niihau is the seventh largest of the inhabited Hawaiian Islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii, having an area of . Niihau lies southwest of Kauai across the Kaulakahi Channel. Several intermittent playa lakes provide wetland habitats for the Hawaiian Coot, the Black-winged Stilt, and the...
.
Requirements for Senator
A senator of the Hawaiian Islands must be a citizen of the United States, must be at least 30 years old, and must have lived in Hawaii for at least three years.Establishing the House of Representatives
The house of representatives will hold 51 members who shall be elected from their representative district, the member will then be active until the following general election. In case a vacancy opens then a special election will be held to fill in that vacancy.Representative districts
The government of the United States has chosen to establish 18 representative districts which are as follows:- First District- Part of the island of Hawaii known as Puna; One representative
- Second District- The portion of the island known as South Hilo; Four representatives
- Third District- North Hilo and Hāmākua; One representative
- Fourth District- Kaū, South Kona, and a portion of North Kona known as KeauhouKeauhou, HawaiiKeauhou is an unincorporated community on the island of Hawaii in Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States. Its elevation is 13 feet . Because the community has borne multiple names, the Board on Geographic Names officially designated it "Keauhou" in 1914...
; One representative - Fifth District- Kohala and the rest of North Kona that was not stated in the fourth district; One representative
- Sixth District- Islands of Molokai and Lānai; One representative
- Seventh District- The islands of Maui and Kahoolawe; Five representatives
- Eight District- The segment of the island Oahu known as Koolaupoko and Koolauloa; Two representatives
- Ninth District- Another portion of the island of Oahu known as Waialua and Wahiawa; Two representatives
- Tenth District- The portion of Oahu known as EwaEwaEwa can refer to:In geography:* Eastern Washington* 'Ewa Beach, Hawaii, unincorporated Census-designated place * Ewa Villages, Hawaii, an unincorporated community in the U.S...
and Waianae; Two representatives - Eleventh District- The portion of Oahu known as KalihiKalihithumb|300px|Historically, Kalihi was an [[ahupua'a|ahupuaʻa]], or area of land ruled by chief or king and managed by the members of the [[alii|alii]]Kalihi is a neighborhood community of Honolulu on the island of Oʻahu in Hawaiʻi, United States...
; Three representatives - Twelfth District- The part of Oahu known as Upper Nuuanu; Three representatives
- Thirteenth District- The part of Oahu known as Kapalama; Three representatives
- Fourteenth District- The part of Oahu known as PauoaPauoa, HawaiiPauoa Valley is an unincorporated town on the island of Oahu in north-central Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States. Pauoa Elementary School is located in this area along with the neighboring schools of Kawananakoa Middle and Roosevelt High School....
; Five representatives - Fifteenth District- Portions of the island of Oahu known as MānoaManoathumb|240px|right|Vintage shot of University of Hawaii, Manoa240px|thumb|right|Vintage photo of Manoa ValleyMānoa is a valley and a residential neighborhood of Honolulu CDP of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States; the community is approximately three miles east and inland from...
and WaikīkīWaikikiWaikiki is a neighborhood of Honolulu, in the City and County of Honolulu, on the south shore of the island of Oahu, in Hawaii. Waikiki Beach is the shoreline fronting Waikīkī....
; Six representatives - Sixteenth District- Parts of island of Oahu known as Kaimuki and Kapahulu; Four representatives
- Seventeenth District- The rest of the island of Oahu; Three representatives
- Eighteenth District- The islands of Kauai and Niihau; Four representatives