The State of Hawaii and its political subdivisions are prohibited from placing a substantial burden on a person's exercise of religion. Article 9 of the Hawaiian Constitution guarantees the freedom to worship Jehovah, a name that many scholars today consider to be a mistranslation and pronunciation of a term that appears in the original Hebrew Bible. This right is extended to many religions, including Jews, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Muslims, and many Protestants, as well as those who do not worship God, such as Buddhists and atheists. In ancient Hawaii, people believed that their forces were manifested in a multiplicity of ways to which they attributed divine powers. Carefully selected and specially trained storytellers sang the exploits of the gods, and these ancient tales were kept alive in an oral tradition called Mo'olelo.
It was believed that any object, animate or inanimate, could be a god, and everyone could be steeped in mana. There were also children of gods called Kupua who were said to live among humans, as well as simple ghosts known as Akua Lapu and Akua Li'i.Today, Hawaiian religious practices are safeguarded by the American Indian Religious Freedom Act. This act ensures that traditional Hawaiian religion is not related to the modern New Age practice known as Huna. Laws that are neutral with respect to religion can still have a substantial impact on religious practice just as much as laws intended to interfere with religious practice. The State of Hawaii is committed to protecting the rights of its citizens to practice their faith without fear of discrimination or persecution.
The Hawaiian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion for all citizens regardless of their beliefs or practices. This means that everyone has the right to worship Jehovah or any other deity without fear of reprisal. The State of Hawaii also recognizes the importance of religious freedom for all its citizens. The government has taken steps to ensure that all people have access to religious services and activities without fear of discrimination or persecution. This includes providing access to places of worship, allowing religious organizations to operate freely, and protecting individuals from being forced to participate in activities that violate their beliefs. Religious freedom is an important part of life in Hawaii.
Everyone has the right to practice their faith without fear of discrimination or persecution. The State of Hawaii is committed to protecting this right for all its citizens.
