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KAHULUI - Voters should approve a Constitutional Convention to address issues - like local school boards - not being resolved by the Legislature, said Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona.

Speaking at the Rotary Club of Kahului on Monday, Aiona said a Constitutional Convention could give residents a chance to make changes the Legislature is too "self-serving" to consider, changes like applying term limits and the Sunshine Law to legislators. While opponents have said it would be too expensive, Aiona said the convention would cost around $10 million, a third of what the average legislative session costs.

"The Legislature has had its way for 30 years," he said. "It's time for us as citizens to have our way."

The question of whether Hawaii should hold a Constitutional Convention will be put to voters Nov. 4. Aiona noted that ballots left blank on the question will be counted as a "no."

If it went forward, residents would be elected to serve in the convention. They would consider amendments to the state constitution. Any amendments passed by the convention would go to voters in the next election to be ratified.

The state's last Constitutional Convention was in 1978.

Aiona said a Constitutional Convention was necessary because the Legislature was failing to address critical issues. The lack of transparency and bicameral structure of the Legislature made it difficult to accomplish changes, he said.

A Constitutional Convention could consider proposals to make the Legislature unicameral, allow more home rule to counties, and reform the health care system, he said.

It also could establish local school boards: a major issue for Gov. Linda Lingle that was blocked by the Legislature.

Aiona said people were frustrated with the Legislature's inability to reform schools.

"Every single year, education is at the top of the list," he said.

Contacted after Aiona's speech, Maui Democratic Party Chairman Lance Holter said the state should work within the existing legislative process to make reforms - not try to bypass it. The existing system works, he said.

"They feel they can't do it through the polls, so they're going to try to do it through this special instrument, the Con Con," he said.

The money should be spent on social programs, Holter added, noting that Lingle had eliminated a children's health care program because of budget cuts.

"In that we've got a $900 million budget deficit and we're eliminating keiki care, I think this is the wrong time to be spending money on an expensive adventure in changing the constitution," he said.

Aiona's speech convinced at least some of the Kahului Rotarians.

"I definitely think we need it," said Max Tsai.

He was concerned about issues like local school boards and was frustrated by the lack of change.

"It always seems to get stuck in the Legislature," he said. "It needs to be changed."

* Ilima Loomis can be reached at iloomis @mauinews.com.