On Nov. 4, voters will have a once-a-decade opportunity to bring dramatic changes to Hawaii's government by voting for a state Constitutional Convention. The last Con Con, in 1978, resulted in far-reaching changes that included term limits for the governor and lieutenant governor, requiring an annual balanced budget and the creation of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Between now and Tuesday we will continue to hear pros and cons on this issue, but perhaps the most important thing to remember is that if you leave your ballot blank it will be counted as a “;no”; vote. So it is critical to understand the implications of the ballot question, “;Shall there be a convention to propose a revision of or amendments to the Constitution?”;

As Hawaii's highest legal document and standard to which all state laws must align, the Constitution defines the fundamental relationships among government structures and between citizens and their government. It also includes value statements about issues such as voting, education, the environment and social relationships.

What is a Con Con? It is simply a gathering of delegates elected by their fellow citizens to assemble for several weeks to make changes to our state Constitution in an open and transparent manner. Upon conclusion of the convention, all proposed changes must be brought back to the voters for their approval before enactment.

Here are some things that could be accomplished through a Con Con: restructuring our school system to bring more local accountability to parents and create a level playing field among all educational options; allowing competition into our energy environment by requiring the state to release its monopoly on mineral rights and removing the clause in our Constitution that forbids the use of nuclear energy; bringing transparency into state government by removing its self-granted exemption from the Hawaii Sunshine Law; and allowing voter mechanisms such as referendum and initiative that allow direct citizen participation in lawmaking.

When there is an ongoing perception among voters that essential reforms are not occurring as a result of inattention by elected representatives, legislative logjams or malfeasance, voters should have quick recourse. Initiative enables citizens to draft laws and constitutional amendments and place them on the ballot for a popular vote. Referendum provides for a popular vote on laws already passed by the Legislature.

  Not only does Hawaii have the highest number of government employees per capita and respective payroll burden in the nation, it also ranks among the highest-taxed states. Having these voter tools could be helpful. Reducing the size, scope and cost of government is a laudable goal for a Con Con.

Some have said our Constitution doesn't need to change and has no “;fatal flaws,”; while others have said a convention will cost too much. One writer to this paper even stated, “;We are dealing with forces that seek to take power away from the people”; and the Con Con movement is going “;to destroy public education.”; She even included on their list of goals the destruction of unions, the environment and taking away Hawaiian rights.

Nothing could be further from the truth. If anything, a Con Con is for the purpose of re-empowering the people. That is why the writers of the Constitution required there should be a “;people's audit”; at least once every 10 years. This is particularly important for neighbor islanders, with the additional challenges they face in influencing government activities in Honolulu. Don't let fear-based arguments sway common-sense thinking.

  As to the “;exorbitant expense”; of a Con Con, think of paying for it in the following terms: Would we be willing to spend the cost of a movie ticket for every person in Hawaii? A Con Con would probably cost less than a third of the annual $35 million-$40 million cost of our legislative session. It would cost less than .2 percent of the annual state budget. How could we afford not to have a Con Con?

Every election is about change. In this case, it is change that will not only re-energize our government that has grown stale through lack of checks and balances but could also create a broader and more level playing field among counties and in education, energy options and voter safety mechanisms. Let's make sure our Constitution reflects that commitment not only today but also for the next 10 years. But whatever you do, don't leave your ballot blank.