The Constitution of the State of Hawaii Article XVIII, § 2

Article III, Section 4, to the contrary notwithstanding, the terms of office of the members of the senate elected in the 1978 general election shall be as follows:  members of the senate shall be divided into two classes.  The first class shall consist of the following number elected with the highest number of votes from their respective senatorial districts:  first district, one;  second district, one;  third district, one;  fourth district, two;  fifth district, two;  sixth district, two;  seventh district, two;  eighth district, one.  Members of the first class shall hold office for a term of four years beginning with their election and ending on the day of the second general election held thereafter.  The remaining members elected shall constitute the second class and shall hold office for a term of two years beginning with their election and ending on the day of the next general election held thereafter.