The Democratic Party of Hawai'i has chosen not to take a position on whether voters should support or oppose a state constitutional convention when the question appears on the November ballot.

Democrats, meeting at their state convention in Waikiki, voted in committee Friday night against a resolution endorsing a constitutional convention. Democrats rejected an amendment during floor debate yesterday that would have created guidelines if voters do call for a convention, including the election of delegates in 2010 for a convention held by 2012 and public financing for delegate elections and voters' guides.

Instead, Democrats voted for a resolution favored by the Hawai'i Government Employees Association and other labor unions urging voter education this year about the risks of a constitutional convention.

The resolution finds that the state constitution protects equality, personal privacy, the environment, collective bargaining for labor unions and Hawaiian cultural practices. It concludes that a constitutional convention could open up the entire constitution for review, "which can imperil the people of Hawai'i by risk of loss of these rights."

The resolution urges party leaders to participate in public discussions about the ballot question and inform voters of alternatives for amending the constitution without a constitutional convention. The state Legislature can put constitutional questions on the ballot.

While the resolution promotes voter education, its tone and substance is aligned with those in the labor, environmental and Native Hawaiian communities who have warned that a constitutional convention could threaten existing rights.

"I think it's premature at this point in time," said state Rep. Marcus Oshiro, D-39th (Wahiawa). "People need to know, first, what's in the current constitution. Secondly, they need to know the possible effects of a constitutional convention on existing rights and privileges."

Former congressman Ed Case, who has been working with a group of activists who want a constitutional convention, said an element within the party opposes a convention and it has become an "unnecessarily polarizing issue."

"I would love for my party to believe that a broad and inclusive discussion of the future of Hawai'i would be a good idea," Case said.

State Republicans approved a resolution endorsing a constitutional convention at the state GOP convention last weekend.

State Senate Minority Leader Fred Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua, Waimanalo, Hawai'i Kai), said yesterday that Democrats are showing they are captive of their union allies. "Once again, it confirms my belief that the Democratic Party is no longer for the people of Hawai'i but for one dominant group — the labor unions," he said.