A youth group is responsible for a little-noticed issue that will be on Hawai'i's ballot next week: whether to open the way for a younger governor of the Islands.

The proposal would change the state constitution to lower the age to run for the state's highest office from 30 to 25.

"It's weird and discriminatory that people under 30 can't run for governor," said Jonathan Kaguyutan, who testified in favor of the ballot measure. "Is 30 some magical number where you become wise and qualified to run the state?"

The age limit question is more an exercise in democracy than a significant public policy issue. There are no apparent 25-year-olds itching to run for governor, and lawmakers signed on to the idea when young voters came to the Capitol and supported it.

It is the only amendment to the Hawai'i Constitution on the ballot Nov. 4 after the Legislature approved it by a two-thirds vote last spring. The proposal would also lower the age requirement to become lieutenant governor.

The other statewide ballot question will ask voters whether to convene a constitutional convention.

Two local issues getting attention are the questions on whether to build a steel-wheeled rail system on O'ahu and whether to weaken marijuana policing on the Big Island.

The effort to lower the age requirement began when a group called Youth Outreach! Hawaii formed to get more younger adults involved in the political process after only 53 percent of registered voters turned out for the 2006 general election.

"We were sitting around trying to figure out what to do," said Rasika Leue, a member of the group. "I was looking at the Hawai'i Constitution and came across Article V, and was reading it out loud. And when I got to the part about the governor having to be 30 years old, someone yelled out, 'That's bull-' And that started the discussion."

Hearings on the bill began in 2007 at the request of Youth Outreach! Hawaii, with only three lawmakers voting "no" through the entire process.

"Age 25 is just a little too young to be governor, and there are excellent opportunities to get elected before that age," said Rep. Josh Green (D-Keauhou-Honokohau), who voted against it in the Judiciary Committee. "It's the most important job in the state, and people need to prepare for that position."

No current member of the Legislature could run for governor due to approval of a lowered age requirement. The youngest lawmaker at the Capitol is 32-year-old Sen. Jill Tokuda (D-Kane'ohe-Kailua). Anyone over 18 years old may run to be a state senator or representative.

At least 15 states allow for residents as young as 25 years old to run for governor, said Rep. Blake Oshiro, vice chairman for the Judiciary Committee.

"It just goes to show public involvement and participation in the process can make a difference," said Oshiro (D-'Aiea-Halawa). "It's worthwhile to put it out there and let the people decide."

The constitutional amendment would pass if a majority of all ballots cast support the lower age requirement. Blank ballots count as "no" votes on statewide ballot questions, but they're disregarded for county proposals such as the rail and marijuana questions.