June 4, 2025
Noho Ki‘eki‘e ke Aloha (Aloha Reigns): An Example of Values-Based Constitutional Jurisprudence
While Hawai‘i’s government structure has gone through several major upheavals since the time of King Kamehameha I, the Law of the Splintered Paddle has remained as a guiding principle towards a right to a safe environment in what is now the state of Hawai‘i. This principle came into question recently in the 2024 Hawai‘i Supreme Court case, State v. Wilson. The Supreme Court of Hawai‘i addressed a fundamental question: to what extent can a state with a distinct legal and cultural tradition regulate firearm possession without infringing on federal constitutional rights?
