Hawaii
Governor Josh Green, Democrat
Quick Facts
State-by-State Issues in Context
History of the Death Penalty
Hawaii abolished the death penalty before it was granted statehood in 1959. There were 49 executions before abolition in the late 1800s and early 1900s, all of which were hangings for murder. Almost all of those executed were minorities such as Native Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, or Filipino.
Milestones in Abolition/Reinstatement
Hawaii abolished the death penalty in 1957.
Attempts to reinstate the death penalty have been presented to the state legislature over 15 times but have been unsuccessful.
Other Interesting Facts
In 2010, two Hawaiian prisoners killed another Hawaiian prisoner in one of the state’s mainland facilities in Arizona. The two faced the possibility of a death sentence despite the fact that they are Hawaiian prisoners, because the crime was committed in Arizona.
Na Pali Coast, Kauai. Photo by Julius Silver.
