Const. Art. III, §18
Punishing Nonmembers for Disrespect or Interference
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗This section lets each house of the legislature punish people who are not members for certain bad behavior toward the house, like being disorderly, threatening members, or interfering with witnesses. The punishment can be a fine or jail time. The accused person must get written notice of the charge and a chance to defend themselves.
everyone
The constitution, as written — Of Nonmembers
A copy, taken August 21, 2026. The version published by the Legislature is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
Each house may punish by fine, or by imprisonment not exceeding thirty days, any person not a member of either house who shall be guilty of disrespect of such house by any disorderly or contemptuous behavior in its presence or that of any committee thereof; or who shall, on account of the exercise of any legislative function, threaten harm to the body or estate of any of the members of such house; or who shall assault, arrest or detain any witness or other person ordered to attend such house, on the witness' or other person's way going to or returning therefrom; or who shall rescue any person arrested by order of such house. Any person charged with such an offense shall be informed in writing of the charge made against the person and have opportunity to present evidence and be heard in the person's own defense.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.