Const. Art. V, §1
Governor: election, term, and eligibility
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗This section sets the basic rules for Hawaii's governor: how the governor is elected, when the term starts and ends, who can run, and limits on serving. It also says the governor cannot hold another paid government job while in office.
vulnerable adults
The constitution, as written — Of The Executive
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.
The executive power of the State shall be vested in a governor. The governor shall be elected by the qualified voters of this State at a general election. The person receiving the highest number of votes shall be the governor. In case of a tie vote, the selection of the governor shall be determined as provided by law. The term of office of the governor shall begin at noon on the first Monday in December next following the governor's election and end at noon on the first Monday in December, four years thereafter. No person shall be elected to the office of governor for more than two consecutive full terms. No person shall be eligible for the office of governor unless the person shall be a qualified voter, have attained the age of thirty years and have been a resident of this State for five years immediately preceding the person's election. The governor shall not hold any other office or employment of profit under the State or the United States during the governor's term of office. [Am Const Con 1968 and election Nov 5, 1968; ren and am Const Con 1978 and election Nov 7, 1978] Cross References Tie vote, see §11-157. Attorney General Opinions It may be impermissible for legislature to require elected officials to resign before running for governor. Att. Gen. Op. 75-22. Political parties must run candidates for both the office of governor and office of lieutenant governor. Att. Gen. Op. 78-3. The office of the governor is a constitutional office established by this section, and is not a principal department of the state executive branch listed in §26-4; thus, any agency that is not temporary and for special purposes cannot be validly placed within the office of the governor. Att. Gen. Op. 96-1. Law Journals and Reviews You Say You Want a Chevrolution? Factors Predicting the Adoption of the Chevron Standard in Agency Deference at the State Level. 38 UH L. Rev. 447 (2016). Case Notes Durational residency requirement for gubernatorial candidates does not violate equal protection. 639 F. Supp. 1552. Budget expenditures of the department of education, discussed. 70 H. 253, 768 P.2d 1279.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.