PLATFORM
LPHI PLATFORM - Enacted September 12, 2026
Preamble
The Libertarian Party of Hawaii seeks a world of liberty; a Hawaii in which individuals are sovereign over their own lives, and no one is forced to sacrifice his or her values for the sake of others. The non-aggression principle is our guiding tenet. No individual may initiate force against another, and each person should be allowed to fully exercise their rights without fear of coercion. We believe that respect for individual rights is essential for a free and prosperous society. This respect is grounded in the non-aggression principle and in the concept of self-ownership.
We recognize the importance of self-governance as championed by Libertarian leaders, affirming that communities can determine their futures while respecting individual choices. Our commitment to community autonomy includes honoring historical and constitutional perspectives on land ownership, and environmental stewardship, emphasizing voluntary practices that preserve our natural heritage of freedom. Each person has the right to engage in peaceful and honest activities for a diverse society that celebrates liberty. We advocate for the decentralization of power and promote voluntary interactions in all areas of life. It is our hope that individuals can obtain life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness without interference from government or authoritarian powers.
Freedom of Speech
We uphold a strong defense of freedom of speech as a fundamental pillar of a free society. Every individual should have the freedom to express their thoughts, beliefs, and ideas without fear of government censorship or retribution. We affirm the importance of protecting the right of every individual to share their perspectives and narratives freely.
We oppose all forms of government censorship and restrictions on expression. A diverse marketplace of ideas is essential for personal and societal growth. Every person should have the right to express themselves peacefully and honestly. This protection belongs to individuals and private associations, not to the government itself, which has no inherent right to use public resources to promote its own speech.
Economic Freedom
Economic freedom is essential for individual liberty and prosperity. We believe everyone should engage in voluntary transactions and employment agreements without government interference. Employees and employers should negotiate terms that suit them. We advocate for local communities by promoting free-market principles. We aim to create an environment that thrives through job creation and innovation.
We oppose coercive taxation, which undermines self-ownership and personal responsibility. Taxation should be minimal and based on voluntary contributions. Individuals have the right to decide how to allocate and use their resources. Individuals own themselves and the products of their labor. The government's role should be to protect these rights from force and fraud.
The Libertarian Party of Hawaii calls for ending the Federal Reserve's monopoly on currency, repealing legal tender laws, and allowing private currencies and state-level solutions to compete freely. Our commitment is to remove bureaucratic hurdles, so that both workers and employers can operate freely to benefit all of Hawaii.
Privacy Rights
The Libertarian Party of Hawaii firmly upholds the right to individual privacy as a fundamental aspect of personal liberty. We believe that every person has the right to control their information and to live free from unwarranted government intrusion. Privacy is essential for the exercise of personal autonomy and the protection of individual freedoms. Hawaiians have faced significant violations of privacy and autonomy, particularly during periods of colonization and state interventions.
We advocate for safeguarding against all government overreach and for robust constitutional protections that ensure all individuals can enjoy their privacy without fear of surveillance or coercion. We oppose government surveillance programs and data collection practices that infringe on the right to privacy. Personal information should not be collected or shared without informed consent, and individuals should have the right to access, correct, and control their data. Privacy is a vital component of liberty for all residents of Hawaii, empowering individuals to live authentically and without fear of undue scrutiny.
Right to Self Defense
We uphold the fundamental right to self-defense as an extension of self-ownership and the non-aggression principle. Every individual has the right to keep and bear arms to protect their life, property, and liberty without government interference. We oppose licensing, registration, or other mandates that restrict this right and related innovations. Private property owners retain the authority to set their own rules regarding firearms on their premises, consistent with voluntary association. We advocate for removing coercive barriers to ensure individuals can exercise their inherent right to self-defense freely and responsibly.
Medical Freedom
We believe that medical freedoms are essential to individual liberty and personal autonomy. The Libertarian Party of Hawaii advocates for the right of individuals to make informed choices about their own health care without government interference. Bodily autonomy is a core tenet of personal freedom; individuals have the right to control what happens to their bodies. We oppose any mandates or regulations that infringe upon this right.
Informed consent is a fundamental principle that must be upheld in all medical decisions. Patients have the right to receive comprehensive information about treatments, risks, and alternatives, allowing them to make educated choices regarding their health.
Parents have the authority to determine the best medical care for their children without coercion or undue influence from government entities.
We recognize and respect the historical and cultural practices of Hawaiian medicine. The right to access traditional healing methods and to incorporate indigenous knowledge into health care is vital for preserving cultural identity and holistic well-being. Medical choices must remain in the hands of individuals and their families, free from unjust government constraints.
We hold that no person may be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. Every individual is entitled to a presumption of innocence, timely and public notice of any charges, a fair and impartial hearing, the assistance of counsel, the right to confront witnesses and present a defense, and protection against double jeopardy, coerced confession, and unreasonable search and seizure. These protections apply equally to all, and we oppose their erosion through emergency powers, administrative shortcuts, or the expansion of penalties imposed without trial. Due process is not a technicality but the essential safeguard standing between the individual and the arbitrary use of government or institutional force.
Justice & the Rights of the Accused
The Libertarian Party of Hawaii asserts that each person has the right to live freely, and that your rights should only end where another’s rights begin. We advocate for comprehensive criminal justice reform grounded in the principles of individual rights and personal responsibility. Thus, if there is no injured or complaining party, there is no crime. We oppose the criminalization of non-violent behaviors and advocate for the decriminalization of offenses that do not harm others.
We call for transparency and accountability within the justice system, including the judiciary. Judges must be held accountable for their actions, particularly when they violate constitutional rights. We support removing barriers that restrict entry into the practice of law. Mandatory licensing, costly credentialing, and monopolistic bar requirements limit access to legal representation, drive up its cost, and shield the legal profession from competition. Individuals should be free to offer and obtain legal services through voluntary arrangement, and clients should be free to decide for themselves whom they trust to represent them.
We affirm the right of jurors to judge both the facts of a case and the justice of the law itself. Jury nullification is a vital and historic check against unjust prosecutions and oppressive statutes. Jurors should be fully informed that they may vote to acquit when applying a law would produce an unjust result, and we oppose any effort to conceal this right or to punish jurors for exercising their conscience.
Property Rights
Libertarians affirm the right of property owners to voluntarily organize and establish rules and regulations governing themselves, so long as such practices respect individual choices and inherent rights. Where evidence exists that any individual or agency, public or private, has violated an individual’s property rights, that property should be restored to its rightful owner. Property rights deserve respect and protection.
We oppose government regulations which dictate to consumers, impose prices, define standards, or otherwise restrict risk-taking and free choice by individuals. We assert that Hawaii’s occupational licensing and regulation of transportation, energy, utilities, finance, and other industries, have harmed consumers with few practical benefits.
Libertarians advocate freedom of action and the personal responsibility that accompanies that freedom. Therefore, we oppose government action which absolves individuals or corporations of liability. The proper role of government is to protect these rights from force and fraud, not to become an aggressor against them.
Parental Rights
The Libertarian Party of Hawaii recognizes that strong individuals are often formed through strong families. Strong families make strong communities that are resilient, independent, and supportive of each other.
Parental rights are among the oldest recognized rights in the United States. The rights of families, and the existence of family units are under threat from a government bent on becoming the new patriarch. This means dividing families through unjust laws, subsidizing broken families through perverse incentives that keep them in socioeconomic stasis, and pitting family members against each other. The neighborhood used to be the center of the world, rather than an afterthought of splintered families and politics.
We are committed to removing government threats to families, returning parental rights, and making it possible for families to stay together. A stable family unit is one of the most important factors in securing autonomy and upward financial mobility for generations to come. We oppose any government policies that undermine family units or impose unjust regulations on parenting.
Educational Choice
The Libertarian Party of Hawaii affirms that education is best provided through the free market and that parents have the fundamental right to determine all aspects of the education of their children. We aim for an environment where children can thrive and develop their unique potential, supported by their families without government constraints. Parents have the right to choose the best educational options for their children, whether through private schools, homeschooling, or alternative education methods based on individual values and needs.
Community Autonomy
We advocate for the right of residents to govern themselves without excessive interference from state or federal authorities. We oppose one-size-fits-all policies imposed by governments, advocating instead for the rights of communities to chart their paths forward. The autonomy of Hawaiian communities has routinely been undermined by external forces of centralized governance. We recognize the importance of restoring self-determination allowing residents to make decisions that reflect their cultural values, faith, and priorities.
Environmental Policy
The Libertarian Party of Hawaii advocates for free-market solutions to environmental challenges. Grassroots innovation and competition can drive effective and sustainable practices.
Government interventions repeatedly adopt punitive approaches that fail to address the root of environmental issues. Instead, we believe individuals and businesses can develop tailored solutions through voluntary cooperation and market-driven initiatives. Accountability is better served by upholding corporate and individual responsibility, rather than blanket regulatory systems which stifle the free market.
We honor the traditional practices of Kanaka Maoli and their deep connection to the land. Integrating the values of mālama ʻāina (caring for the land) with modern innovative strategies can promote sustainability while preserving freedom and an autonomous cultural heritage.
Foreign Entanglements
The Libertarian Party of Hawaii strongly opposes interventionist foreign entanglements that compromise our sovereignty and divert our resources and young people from local priorities. We advocate for a non-interventionist foreign policy that prioritizes diplomacy and free trade over military engagement. Following our Non-Agression Principle, we promote peace and cooperation with other nations, and political neutrality.
Our officers should only be transferred overseas on the rare occasion of a declaration of war by Congress. We believe that instead of serving as a military outpost for global conflict, Hawaii should focus on the well-being of its residents. Hawaii has routinely faced the consequences of foreign intervention, which has disrupted sovereignty and quality of life. Upholding the values of self-determination and freedom, we recognize that Hawaii’s unique history calls for a foreign policy that respects State autonomy and prioritizes the needs of our communities over external conflicts.
Omissions
Our platform is designed to advocate for individual rights, personal freedom, and limited government intervention. While we may not address every concern or policy, we stand firmly against the initiation of force and coercion and any measures that infringe upon the liberties of individuals. The Libertarian Party of Hawaii recognizes that silence on specific government actions does not imply approval. We prioritize our core principles and focus on the most pressing issues affecting our communities. We encourage open dialogue and community engagement to identify and address issues that matter most to residents. Our commitment is to promote a clear and focused agenda that aligns with our values while remaining responsive to the evolving needs of the people of Hawaii.