The only difference between the government of the state of Hawaii and those of other states is that it's "streamlined" and in theory more efficient. There are only two levels of government: the state and the county. With no town or city governments to deal with, considerable bureaucracy is eliminated. Hawaii, in anticipation of becoming a state, drafted a constitution in 1950 and was ready to go when statehood came. Politics and government are taken seriously in the Aloha State, which consistently turns in the best national voting record per capita. For example, in the first state elections 173,000 of 180,000 registered voters voted—a whopping 94% of the electorate. In the election to ratify statehood, hardly a ballot went uncast, with 95% of

County of Hawaii

The county of Hawaii is almost entirely Democratic and currently has only one Republican elected state legislative member. The current mayor is Stephen K. Yamashiro, Democrat. The mayor is assisted by an elected county council consisting of nine members, one from each council district around the island.

Of the 25 State Senatorial Districts, Hawaii County is represented by three, all Democrats. The First District takes in the whole northern section of the island: the Hamakua Coast, Mauna Kea, North and South Kohala, and part of North Kona. The Second District is mainly Hilo and its outlying area. The Third comprises Puna, Kau, South Kona, and most of North Kona. Hawaii County has six of 51 seats in the State House of Representatives. At this time, all representatives are Democrats, except for a Republican representing North and South Kona, the Fifth District.