Haw. Rev. Stat. § 28-15 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 28 / Section 28-15
Tobacco enforcement special fund.
Status: in_force

(a) There is established in the state treasury the tobacco enforcement special fund, into which shall be deposited the tobacco settlement moneys as provided by section 328L-2(a), the allocated portion of the stamp fee designated to pay for the cost of enforcing the cigarette tax stamp as provided by section 245-26, and fines as provided for by section 245-41.

(b) The tobacco enforcement special fund shall be administered by the department of the attorney general and shall be used for administering, operating, monitoring, and ensuring compliance with and enforcement of:

(1) The Master Settlement Agreement as defined in chapter 675 and any other statutes or programs relating to that agreement;

(2) Chapter 675;

(3) Tobacco prevention programs;

(4) The cigarette tax stamp as defined in chapter 245 and any other statutes or programs relating to that chapter;

(5) Chapter 245;

(6) Chapter 486P and any other statutes or programs relating to that chapter; and

(7) Any other requirement deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of the fund.

(c) All unencumbered and unexpended moneys in excess of $750,000 remaining on balance in the tobacco enforcement special fund at the close of June 30 of each year shall lapse to the credit of the state general fund.

(d) The department of the attorney general shall submit a report to the legislature, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, providing an accounting of the receipts and expenditures of the fund. [L 2001, c 270, pt of §1; am L 2003, c 177, §1; am L 2004, c 43, §19 and c 52, §19; am L 2024, c 59, §2]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 28-10.5 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 28 / Section 28-10.5
Criminal and juvenile justice resource coordination; administrator and staff.
Status: in_force

(a) The department of the attorney general shall serve as the clearinghouse for information on financial and nonfinancial resources that may be available to assist in improving the delivery or coordination of services under, or the implementation of, programs of the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems and agencies and shall develop, update, and coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive statewide plan of programs and priorities for the improvement of law enforcement and criminal justice, including the prevention and control of juvenile delinquency. In addition, the department may:

(1) Seek, apply for, and administer federal funding and other resources to enhance and expand the capabilities of the criminal and juvenile justice agencies;

(2) Coordinate and assess information on a statewide basis for the development of policies to improve the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems and programs;

(3) Administer state-funded criminal and juvenile justice programs as specifically directed by law or as may be implied through the appropriation of funds; and

(4) Administer programs for the prevention of sexual violence and the protection and treatment of victims of sexual violence.

(b) The attorney general may employ, without regard to chapter 76, and at pleasure dismiss, an administrator to oversee and carry out the resource coordination functions of the department set forth in subsection (a). In addition, the attorney general may employ, in accordance with chapter 76, other support staff necessary for the performance of the resource coordination functions. [L 1988, c 71, §1; am L 2000, c 253, §150; am L 2005, c 133, §1; am L 2006, c 300, §4]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 28-12 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 28 / Section 28-12
Seal of department.
Status: in_force

The attorney general shall procure a proper seal of the department of the attorney general with such suitable inscriptions and devices as the attorney general may approve, to be known as the official seal of the attorney general of the State. The seal shall remain in the attorney general's custody to be kept and used by the attorney general to verify official documents under such rules and regulations as the attorney general may prescribe.
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 29-3 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 29 / Section 29-3
Appropriations.
Status: in_force

The governor may include in the governor's operating budget such sums as the governor deems necessary for the continuation and operations of the program.
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 30-3 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 30 / Section 30-3
Expenditures authorized; limitations.
Status: in_force

(a) The comptroller shall provide, upon request, to each governor-elect, for use in connection with the governor-elect's preparations for the assumption of official duties as governor, necessary services and facilities, including:

(1) Suitable office space appropriately equipped with furniture, furnishings, office machines and equipment, and office supplies as determined by the comptroller after consultation with the governor-elect, within the state capitol complex;

(2) Payment of the compensation of members of office staffs designated by the governor-elect at rates determined by the governor-elect; provided that any employee of any agency of the state government may be detailed to such staffs on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis; and while so detailed such employee shall be responsible only to the governor-elect for the performance of the employee's duties; and provided that any employee so detailed shall continue to receive the compensation provided pursuant to law for the employee's regular employment, and shall retain the rights and privileges of such employment without interruption. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, persons receiving compensation as members of office staffs under this paragraph, other than those detailed from agencies, shall not be held or considered to be employees of the state government except for purposes of the public employees retirement system;

(3) Payment of expenses for the procurement of services of experts or consultants or organizations thereof for the governor-elect at rates not to exceed $100 per diem for individuals;

(4) Payment of travel expenses and subsistence allowances, not to exceed that authorized for other state employees, including rental by the state government of hired motor vehicles, found necessary by the governor-elect, as authorized for persons employed intermittently or for persons serving without compensation, as may be appropriate;

(5) Communication services found necessary by the governor-elect;

(6) Payment of expenses for necessary printing and binding.

Each governor-elect shall be entitled to conveyance of all mail, including airmail, sent by the governor-elect in connection with the governor-elect's preparations for the assumption of official duties as governor.

(b) The comptroller shall expend no funds for the provision of services and facilities under this chapter in connection with any obligations incurred by the governor-elect before the day following the date of the general elections.

(c) In the case where the governor-elect is the incumbent governor, there shall be no expenditures of funds for the provision of services and facilities to such incumbent under this chapter, and any funds appropriated for such purposes shall be returned to the general fund of the State. [L 1972, c 126, pt of §1; gen ch 1993]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 28-182 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 28 / Section 28-182
[ §28-182] Human trafficking prevention program.
Status: in_force

[ §28-182] Human trafficking prevention program. (a) The department of the attorney general shall develop and implement a program to prevent, and assist victims of, human trafficking. The program shall:

(1) Assess the current needs of the State's anti-trafficking response and develop:

(A) A statewide strategy to prevent human trafficking; and

(B) A plan to provide increased support and assistance to victims of human trafficking and victims of the commercial sexual exploitation of children;

(2) Implement statewide strategies to address offender accountability for child enticement, commercial sexual exploitation, and human trafficking through law enforcement efforts, prosecutions, and crime prevention efforts;

(3) Promote public awareness of:

(A) Human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children;

(B) The availability of services for victims of human trafficking; and

(C) The availability of national and state hotlines for victims and witnesses;

(4) Produce and maintain informational materials, including a website, on:

(A) The prevention of human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children; and

(B) The availability of public resources for victims and witnesses;

(5) Develop and provide comprehensive training on ways to prevent, identify, and address human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children; and

(6) Apply for and monitor federal funding available for anti-trafficking efforts.

(b) Each public official and state and county department shall render all necessary assistance and cooperation within the official's or department's jurisdictional power to share information and assist the program in carrying out its duties under this part. [L 2023, c 83, pt of §2]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 29-15 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 29 / Section 29-15
Conflict between federal and state requirements.
Status: in_force

In the case of any contract, the funds for which have been wholly or in part promised, loaned, or furnished by the United States, or any instrumentality thereof, if the United States, or its instrumentality, requires that the advertisement for tenders, tenders, performance bond, or contract contain terms or provisions contrary to any state law, then as to the advertisements, tenders, bonds, or contracts the terms and provisions required by the United States, or its instrumentality, shall govern and are made applicable, and the officer expending the funds shall conform to such requirements as the United States, or its instrumentality, shall provide or require, any other law or laws of the State to the contrary notwithstanding. The provisions of this section shall be liberally construed so as not to hinder or impede the State in contracting for any project involving financial aid from the federal government.
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 28-4 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 28 / Section 28-4
Advises public officers.
Status: in_force

The attorney general shall, without charge, at all times when called upon, give advice and counsel to the heads of departments, district judges, and other public officers, in all matters connected with their public duties, and otherwise aid and assist them in every way requisite to enable them to perform their duties faithfully.
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 27-46 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 27 / Section 27-46
[ §27-46] Multilingual accessibility standards.
Status: in_force

[ §27-46] Multilingual accessibility standards. (a) The office of enterprise technology services, in consultation with the office of language access, shall develop multilingual accessibility standards to provide technical guidance to state entities regarding public access to vital information and documents. These multilingual accessibility standards shall:

(1) Encourage state entities to implement language accessibility cost-effectively, taking into consideration the unique challenges and circumstances of each state entity;

(2) Include functional performance criteria and technical requirements for multilingual accessibility standards;

(3) Provide recommendations for procurement provisions that can be incorporated into existing state procurement processes to conform to multilingual accessibility standards;

(4) Offer other guidance for planning, reporting, and monitoring to ensure that state entities implement the multilingual accessibility standards without impeding modernization efforts; and

(5) Apply to electronic information technology developed, purchased, used, modified, or provided by a state entity to assure access to language services as required by federal and state law, rules, and regulations.

The office of enterprise technology services, in consultation with the office of language access, shall review the multilingual accessibility standards every three years, or more frequently if the chief information officer deems it necessary, and amend the standards to reflect advances or changes in electronic information technology rules or superseding federal rules, regulations, and guidance.

(b) For purposes of this section:

"Access" or "accessibility" means to be informed of, participate in, and benefit from the services, programs, and activities offered by a state entity.

"State entity" means the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of state government or any department, office, commission, board, or other agency of the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of state government. [L 2024, c 203, §2]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 27-44 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 27 / Section 27-44
Chief data officer; electronic data set availability; updates.
Status: in_force

(a) There is established within the office of enterprise technology services a full-time chief data officer to develop, implement, and manage statewide data policies, procedures, and standards pursuant to section 27-44.3 and to facilitate data sharing across state agencies. The chief data officer shall use the state information assets and analytics to research and recommend processes and tools to improve inter-departmental and intra-departmental decision making and reporting. The chief data officer shall be appointed by and report directly to the chief information officer. Each executive branch department, including the department of education and University of Hawaii, shall use reasonable efforts to make appropriate and existing data sets maintained by the department electronically available to the public through the State's open data portal at data.hawaii.gov or successor website designated by the chief data officer; provided that:

(1) Nothing in this chapter shall require departments to create new electronic data sets or to make data sets available upon demand;

(2) Data licensed to the State by another person or entity shall not be made public under this chapter unless the person or entity licensing the data agrees to the public disclosure; and

(3) Proprietary and other information protected from disclosure by law or contract shall not be disclosed.

This disclosure shall be consistent with the policies, procedures, and standards developed by the chief data officer and consistent with applicable law, including chapter 92F and other state and federal laws related to security and privacy, and no personally identifiable information shall be posted online unless the identified individual has consented to the posting or the posting is necessary to fulfill the lawful purposes or duties of the department.

(b) Nothing in this chapter shall require the chief information officer or the chief data officer to adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 and nothing in this chapter shall supersede chapter 27G.

(c) Each department shall update its electronic data sets in the manner prescribed by the chief data officer and as often as is necessary to preserve the integrity and usefulness of the data sets to the extent that the department regularly maintains or updates the data sets.

(d) There is established a data task force to assist the chief data officer in developing the State's data policies, procedures, and standards. The task force shall comprise the following members:

(1) One representative of the judiciary, to be appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court;

(2) The superintendent of education, or the superintendent's designee;

(3) The director of human services, or the director's designee;

(4) The director of health, or the director's designee;

(5) The director of business, economic development, and tourism, or the director's designee;

(6) The president of the University of Hawaii, or the president's designee;

(7) Two members of the public to represent nonprofit organization stakeholders having experience in data, of which one member shall be chosen and invited to participate by the speaker of the house of representatives and one member shall be chosen and invited to participate by the president of the senate; and

(8) Two members of the public to represent for-profit business stakeholders having experience in data, of which one member shall be chosen and invited to participate by the speaker of the house of representatives and one member shall be chosen and invited to participate by the president of the senate.

The chief data officer shall serve as the chair of the task force and shall ensure that the task force is evaluated periodically. [L 2013, c 263, pt of §2; am L 2022, c 167, §2]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 26-33 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 26 / Section 26-33
Performance of duties of vacant office.
Status: in_force

In the event of a vacancy in any office for which the governor has the power of appointment or nomination, the governor may designate some other officer or employee of the State to perform the duties of the vacant office until the office is filled. The authority derived from this section shall not continue for a longer period than sixty days after the vacancy occurs.

An officer or employee designated to perform the duties of a vacant office shall, so long as the authority continues, receive the compensation attached to the vacant office, or the compensation attached to the officer's or employee's regular office or employment, whichever is the higher. [L 1953, c 278, §11; RL 1955, §7-23; HRS §26-33; gen ch 1985]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 26-8 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 26 / Section 26-8
Department of budget and finance.
Status: in_force

(a) The department of budget and finance shall be headed by a single executive to be known as the director of finance.

(b) The department shall:

(1) Undertake the preparation and execution of the executive budget of the state government;

(2) Conduct a systematic and continuous review of the finances, organization, and methods of each department of the State to assist each department in achieving the most effective expenditure of all public funds and to determine that such expenditures are in accordance with the budget laws and controls in force;

(3) Have custody of state funds and be responsible for the safekeeping, management, investment, and disbursement thereof; and

(4) Administer state debts.

(c) The functions and authority heretofore exercised by the bureau of the budget (except for insurance management, surplus property management, and central purchasing transferred to the department of accounting and general services) and the funds custody, cash management, debt management, and administering of veterans loan functions of the treasurer as heretofore constituted are transferred to the department of budget and finance established by this chapter.

(d) The employees' retirement system as constituted by chapter 88 is placed within the department of budget and finance for administrative purposes. The functions, duties, and powers, subject to the administrative control of the director of finance, and the composition of the board of trustees of the employees' retirement system shall be as heretofore provided by law. [L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §14; am L 1963, c 114, §2; Supp, §14A-13; HRS §26-8; am L 1971, c 107, §4; am L 1976, c 165, §7; am L Sp 1988, c 1, §4; am L 1989, c 26, §1; am L 1992, c 308, §3; am L 1995, c 126, §2; am L 1997, c 350, §3; am L 2014, c 108, §2]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 27-43.6 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 27 / Section 27-43.6
[ §27-43.
Status: in_force

[ §27-43.6] Additional duties of the chief information officer relating to independent verification and validation of information technology projects of the executive branch. (a) The chief information officer shall identify the information technology projects of the executive branch, including those of the department of education and the University of Hawaii, that shall be subject to independent verification and validation.

(b) If the chief information officer identifies an information technology project for independent verification and validation, the sponsoring department or agency shall cooperate with the chief information officer and the independent verification and validation contractor during the independent verification and validation process.

(c) The chief information officer shall require all independent verification and validation reports to be submitted to the chief information officer.

(d) The chief information officer shall submit each independent verification and validation report to the legislature within ten days of receiving the report.

(e) As used in this section, "independent verification and validation of an information technology project" means a rigorous independent process that evaluates the correctness and quality of the business product of the project to ensure that the product is being developed in accordance with customer requirements and well-engineered. [L 2017, c 37, §2]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 29-2 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 29 / Section 29-2
Powers and duties.
Status: in_force

The coordinator shall:

(1) Provide a mechanism by which federal, state, and local agencies can coordinate their plans, policies, and activities;

(2) Create congressional awareness and understanding of the needs and potentials of the State;

(3) Encourage and advise state departments, universities or other appropriate state and local agencies in Hawaii of the availability of and the requirements of federal grants;

(4) Advise and provide necessary factual data to Congress and our congressional delegation;

(5) Recommend to the governor and the administration the types and necessity of either legislative or administrative action in order that the State may avail itself of beneficial federal programs;

(6) Maintain contacts with federal, state, and local officials and agencies so that the programs of all levels of government may be coordinated;

(7) Cooperate with our congressional delegation in promoting federal legislative or administrative action which may be beneficial to Hawaii;

(8) Appear before congressional committees in support of or in opposition to legislation which affects Hawaii;

(9) Perform such other services as may be required by the governor and the legislature;

(10) Administer funds allocated to this office; be authorized to accept, disburse, and allocate funds which may become available from other governmental units; provided that all the funds shall be disbursed or allocated in compliance with any specific designation stated by the donating governmental unit and in the absence of specific designation, the funds shall be disbursed or allocated on projects directly benefiting the people of the State in accordance with this part; and

(11) Submit to the governor and legislature reports as requested and submit an annual report with recommendations to the governor and the legislature. [L 1965, c 237, §2; Supp, §12A-2; HRS §29-2]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 29-12 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 29 / Section 29-12
Duties of attorney general, director of finance.
Status: in_force

The attorney general and the director of finance shall promptly initiate the necessary action to take advantage of or secure any federal aid which may be available to the State or its political subdivisions.
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 27G-5 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 27G / Section 27G-5
Annual report.
Status: in_force

The committee shall submit an annual report to the governor and the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, on the operations of the portal. The annual report shall include the portal manager's annual financial reports.
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 26-17 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 26 / Section 26-17
Department of Hawaiian home lands.
Status: in_force

The department of Hawaiian home lands shall be headed by an executive board to be known as the Hawaiian homes commission.

The commission shall be composed of nine members. The appointment, tenure, and removal of the members and the filling of vacancies on the commission shall be in accordance with section 26-34 and section 202(a) of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended. The governor shall appoint the chairperson of the commission from among the members thereof.

The commission may delegate to the chairperson such duties, powers, and authority, or so much thereof as may be lawful or proper, for the performance of the functions vested in the commission.

The chairperson of the board shall serve in a full-time capacity and shall perform such duties, and exercise such powers and authority, or so much thereof as may be delegated to the chairperson by the board.

The department shall administer the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 as set forth in the Constitution of the State and by law.

The functions and authority heretofore exercised by the Hawaiian homes commission as heretofore constituted are transferred to the department of Hawaiian home lands established by this chapter. [L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §24; am L 1963, c 207, §6; am L 1965, c 223, §8(d); Supp, §14A-23; HRS §26-17; am L 1982, c 147, §2 superseded by c 273, §2; gen ch 1985; am L 1989, c 265, §3; gen ch 1993]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 26-7 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 26 / Section 26-7
Department of the attorney general.
Status: in_force

The department of the attorney general shall be headed by a single executive to be known as the attorney general.

The department shall administer and render state legal services, including furnishing of written legal opinions to the governor, legislature, and such state departments and officers as the governor may direct; represent the State in all civil actions in which the State is a party; approve as to legality and form all documents relating to the acquisition of any land or interest in lands by the State; and, unless otherwise provided by law, prosecute cases involving violations of state laws and cases involving agreements, uniform laws, or other matters which are enforceable in the courts of the State. The attorney general shall be charged with such other duties and have such authority as heretofore provided by common law or statute.

There shall be within the department of the attorney general a commission to be known as the commission to promote uniform legislation which shall sit in an advisory capacity to the attorney general and to the legislature on matters relating to the promotion of uniform legislation. The composition of the commission shall be as heretofore provided for the commission to promote uniform legislation existing immediately prior to November25, 1959. The members of the commission shall be nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the senate, appointed by the governor for terms of four years each, provided that each member shall hold office until the member's successor is appointed and qualified; and provided also that the provisions of section 26-34, limiting the appointment of members of boards and commissions to two terms and the duration of membership to not more than eight consecutive years shall not be applicable.

The functions and authority heretofore exercised by the attorney general, high sheriff, and the commission to promote uniform legislation as heretofore constituted are transferred to the department of the attorney general established by this chapter. [L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §13; am L 1965, c 127, §1; Supp, §14A-12; HRS §26-7; am L 1969, c 123, §1 and c 175, §12; am L 1975, c 20, §1; gen ch 1985; am L 1989, c 211, §10; am L 1990, c 281, §11]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 28-17 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 28 / Section 28-17
Criminal history record checks.
Status: in_force

(a) The department of the attorney general shall ensure that a background investigation is completed at the appropriate level designated by the federal government for any person, including any authorized contractor, to have access to federal tax information. This background investigation shall include criminal history record checks in accordance with section 846-2.7. Information obtained pursuant to this subsection shall be used exclusively by the department of the attorney general for the purpose of determining whether the person is suitable for accessing federal tax information in accordance with applicable federal laws.

(b) The department of the attorney general may terminate or deny employment to any current or prospective employee, or terminate or refuse to secure the services of any contractor, if the department of the attorney general finds by reason of the background investigation conducted under subsection (a) that the current or prospective employee, contractor, contractor's employee, or subcontractor poses a risk to the security of federal tax information. Termination or denial of employment, or termination or refusal to secure the services of any contractor, under this subsection, shall only occur after appropriate notification to the current or prospective employee, contractor, contractor's employee, or subcontractor of the findings of the background investigation, and after the current or prospective employee, contractor, contractor's employee, or subcontractor is given an opportunity to meet and rebut the findings. Nothing in this subsection shall abrogate any applicable appeal rights under chapters 76 and 89 or administrative rules of the department of the attorney general.

(c) Investigations conducted by the department of the attorney general pursuant to this section shall be exempt from section 831-3.1. [L 2021, c 35, §2; am L 2025, c 83, §2]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 29-13 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 29 / Section 29-13
Governor may accept federal acts.
Status: in_force

The governor may accept, on behalf of the State, the provisions of any act of Congress making grants or allotments of federal-aid moneys available for expenditure in the State.
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 27G-1 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 27G / Section 27G-1
Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Committee" means the access Hawaii committee.

"Government agency" means any government agency that stores, gathers, or generates public information, including all branches of government, all executive departments, boards, and commissions of the State or counties, and all public corporations created by the legislature.

"Internet" means the global information system that is logically linked together by a globally unique address space based on the internet protocol (IP), or its subsequent extension; and that is able to support communications using the transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) suite, or its subsequent extension, or other IP-compatible protocols; and that provides, uses, or makes accessible, either publicly or privately, information to users.

"Internet portal" means the centralized electronic information system by which public information is provided via dial-in modem or continuous link to the public through subscriptions.

"Portal manager" means the entity or person engaged to manage and operate the internet portal on behalf of the State.

"Value added electronic services" means services, including but not limited to:

(1) Providing periodic, continual, and ongoing access to information maintained by a government agency without requiring separate requests for information as it is created;

(2) Compiling data or performing other research services;

(3) Permitting the electronic filing of reports, renewals, or application; or

(4) Enabling the transaction of business over the internet portal. [L 2007, c 172, pt of §2]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 26-21 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 26 / Section 26-21
Department of defense.
Status: in_force

(a) The department of defense shall be headed by a single executive to be known as the adjutant general. The adjutant general shall also be the director of the Hawaii emergency management agency as established in section 127A-3.

The department shall be responsible for the defense of the State and its people from mass violence, originating from either human or natural causes.

The devolution of command of the military forces in the absence of the adjutant general shall be within the military establishment. The devolution of command of the Hawaii emergency management agency in the absence of the adjutant general, as director of the agency, shall be within the agency.

(b) The office of veterans' services and the advisory board on veterans' services as constituted by chapter 363 are placed within the department of defense for administrative purposes. [L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §28; Supp, §14A-27; HRS §26-21; am L 1969, c 122, §1; am L 1981, c 82, §2 and c 135, §4; am L 1988, c 115, §2; am L 2013, c 175, §3; am L 2014, c 111, §4; am L 2022, c 278, §37]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 28-111 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 28 / Section 28-111
Victim-witness assistance program.
Status: in_force

(a) There is established a victim-witness assistance program in the department of the attorney general, whose purpose shall be to provide information, assistance, and support services to the victims of and witnesses to crimes committed in the State.

(b) The attorney general shall allocate and award appropriated funds to counties whose victim-witness assistance units are in substantial compliance with the policies and criteria established. The attorney general and the county prosecutors shall work together to establish victim-witness assistance program policies and criteria which shall not be subject to chapter 91. The county prosecutors shall implement the program in their respective counties.

(c) Any sums appropriated by the State for the victim-witness units in each of the respective counties shall be contingent upon the respective counties providing a minimum of twenty-five per cent of the sum appropriated to each county. [L 1986, c 204, §2]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 26-10 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 26 / Section 26-10
Department of taxation.
Status: in_force

(a) The department of taxation shall be headed by a single executive to be known as the director of taxation.

(b) The department shall administer and enforce the tax revenue laws of the State and collect all taxes and other payments payable thereunder.

(c) The director of taxation shall visit low-income communities to assist taxpayers in the preparation of tax filings. The qualification of and the visitation to specific low-income communities shall be at the discretion of the director; provided that the visitation shall be on an annual basis and statewide.

(d) There shall be within the department of taxation a taxation board of review and a tax appeal court. The composition of the taxation board of review and the tax appeal court and their respective functions, duties, and powers shall be as provided in chapter 232.

(e) The functions and authority heretofore exercised by the office of tax commissioner as heretofore constituted are transferred to the department of taxation established by this chapter. [L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §16; Supp, §14A-15; am L 1967, c 37, §1(1); HRS §26-10; am L 2008, c 202, §3; am L 2021, c 118, §1]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 28-5 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 28 / Section 28-5
Aids poor.
Status: in_force

The attorney general shall give counsel and aid to poor and oppressed citizens of the State and assist them in obtaining their just rights without charge; provided that the attorney general shall not be obliged to render such aid, counsel, and assistance, unless requested so to do by the governor, or by some one of the heads of departments.
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 26-34 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 26 / Section 26-34
Selection and terms of members of boards and commissions.
Status: in_force

(a) The members of each board and commission established by law shall be nominated and, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, appointed by the governor. Unless otherwise provided by this chapter or by law hereafter enacted, the terms of the members shall be for four years; provided that the governor may reduce the terms of those initially appointed so as to provide, as nearly as can be, for the expiration of an equal number of terms at intervals of one year for each board and commission. Unless otherwise provided by law, each term shall commence on July 1 and expire on June 30, except that the terms of the chairpersons of the board of agriculture and biosecurity, the board of land and natural resources, and the Hawaiian homes commission shall commence on January 1 and expire on December 31. No person shall be appointed consecutively to more than two terms as a member of the same board or commission; provided that membership on any board or commission shall not exceed eight consecutive years.

(b) Any member of a board or commission whose term has expired and who is not disqualified for membership under subsection (a) may continue in office as a holdover member until a successor is nominated and appointed; provided that a holdover member shall not hold office beyond the end of the second regular legislative session following the expiration of the member's term of office.

(c) A vacancy occurring in the membership of any board or commission during a term shall be filled for the unexpired term thereof, subject to Article V, section 6 of the Constitution of the State.

(d) The governor may remove or suspend for cause any member of any board or commission after due notice and public hearing.

(e) Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, this section shall apply to every board and commission established by part I, or existing or established after November 25, 1959. All new appointments to any board or commission shall thereafter be made in accordance with this section.

(f) This section shall not apply to ex officio members of boards and commissions or to the board of trustees of the employees retirement system. [L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §5; Supp, §14A-3; HRS §26-34; am L 1971, c 143, §3; am L 1984, c 54, §1 and c 72, §1; am L 1985, c 153, §1; am L 2025, c 236, §18]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 27-54 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 27 / Section 27-54
Data collection relating to the well-being of Hawaii's children and families.
Status: in_force

(a) The Hawaii performance partnerships board with the assistance of the center on the family at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, shall establish key indicators and data sets relevant to the health, education, and socioeconomic well-being of Hawaii's children and families.

(b) The Hawaii performance partnerships board may request and shall receive from every department, division, board, bureau, commission, or other agency of the State and its political subdivisions, cooperation and assistance in the performance of its duties relating to results and performance accountability, decision-making, and budgeting. [L 2001, c 274, §1]

Revision Note

Section was enacted as an addition to chapter 304 but is renumbered to this chapter pursuant to §23G-15.
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 26-13 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 26 / Section 26-13
Department of health.
Status: in_force

(a) The department of health shall be headed by a single executive to be known as the director of health.

The department shall administer programs designed to protect, preserve, care for, and improve the physical and mental health of the people of the State. Without limit to the generality of the foregoing, the programs shall include the administration and enforcement of matters and laws of public health of the State, including the state hospital, but excluding assistance and care for the indigent and the medically indigent.

(b) The functions and authority heretofore exercised by the board of health (excluding assistance and care for the indigent and the medically indigent) and the department of institutions with respect to the state hospital and the dental health treatment function of the department of public instruction as heretofore constituted are transferred to the department of health established by this chapter.

The governor shall define and differentiate dental health treatment from dental health instruction and shall provide for the gradual transfer of any personnel within the definition of dental health treatment to the department of health. This section shall not be construed to require the transfer from the department of education to the department of health of any dental hygienist having a teacher's certificate and employed by the department of public instruction immediately prior to November 25, 1959. [L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §19; Supp, §14A-18; HRS §26-13; am L 1974, c 252, §1; am L 1983, c 260, §1; am L 1995, c 189, §§1, 26; am L 1998, c 133, §5; am L 2019, c 210, §3]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 29-14 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 29 / Section 29-14
Boards, etc.
Status: in_force

§29-14 Boards, etc., may accept funds, comply with federal acts. Except as otherwise provided by law, any board, commission, department, or officer of the State may accept and receive on behalf of the State, and receipt for, any and all grants or allotments of federal-aid moneys made available to the State by or pursuant to an act of Congress, and enter into or make such plan, agreement, or other arrangement with the agency designated by the act of Congress as is necessary to carry out the purposes of the Act; provided that if as a condition to receiving the federal-aid moneys it is necessary to match all or any part of the grant or allotment with state moneys no plan, agreement, or arrangement may be entered into unless the board, commission, department, or officer has under its or the officer's control moneys which may be expended lawfully for the purpose.

The governor may transfer funds from the department of health to the department of human services and from the department of human services to the department of labor and industrial relations to obtain additional federal funds for medical assistance under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, as amended, and the work incentive program. The governor may also transfer funds from one department to another for the purpose of obtaining federal matching grants and allotments; provided that the state moneys have been appropriated for the purpose for which federal grants and allotments may be obtained. [L 1939, c 196, §2; RL 1945, §402; RL 1955, §12-4; HRS §29-14; am L 1969, c 65, §1; am L 1970, c 105, §5; gen ch 1985; am L 1987, c 339, §4]

Revision Note

The words "and industrial relations" added to "department of labor".
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 26-4 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 26 / Section 26-4
Structure of government.
Status: in_force

Under the supervision of the governor, all executive and administrative offices, departments, and instrumentalities of the state government and their respective functions, powers, and duties shall be allocated among and within the following principal departments that are hereby established:

(1) Department of human resources development (Section 26-5);

(2) Department of accounting and general services (Section 26-6);

(3) Department of the attorney general (Section 26-7);

(4) Department of budget and finance (Section 26-8);

(5) Department of commerce and consumer affairs (Section 26-9);

(6) Department of taxation (Section 26-10);

(7) University of Hawaii (Section 26-11);

(8) Department of education (Section 26-12);

(9) Department of health (Section 26-13);

(10) Department of human services (Section 26-14);

(11) Department of land and natural resources (Section 26-15);

(12) Department of agriculture and biosecurity (Section 26-16);

(13) Department of Hawaiian home lands (Section 26-17);

(14) Department of business, economic development, and tourism (Section 26-18);

(15) Department of transportation (Section 26-19);

(16) Department of labor and industrial relations (Section 26-20);

(17) Department of defense (Section 26-21);

(18) Department of corrections and rehabilitation (Section 26-14.6); and

(19) Department of law enforcement (Section 26-14.8). [L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §3; am L 1961, c 132, §1(a); am L 1963, c 2, §1 and c 114, §§2, 4; Supp, §14A-1; HRS §26-4; am L 1970, c 105, §4; am L 1982, c 204, §8; am L 1987, c 336, §3(1), c 338, §1(2), and c 339, §2(1); am L 1989, c 211, §§3, 4; am L 1990, c 293, §8; am L 1991, c 293, §§1, 5; am L 1994, c 56, §1; am L 2022, c 278, §§3, 20; am L 2025, c 236, §17]
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 27-52 — HI Code / Division 1 / Title 4 / Chapter 27 / Section 27-52
Duties of the board.
Status: in_force

The board shall:

(1) Propose key community outcomes of well-being for the residents of the State to the legislature, and report to the legislature and the citizens of Hawaii on progress in attaining the outcomes adopted by the legislature;

(2) Execute an agreement between the federal government, the state executive branch, and representatives of philanthropy and community service organizations to encourage intergovernmental partnerships with federal agencies and state, county, and community organizations for the purpose of measuring results in exchange for fiscal and regulatory flexibility in achieved shared goals;

(3) Increase the use of performance measurement initiatives in each state agency through the governor's cabinet; and

(4) Increase the number of performance partnerships between federal, state, county, and community-based agencies through the governor's cabinet. [L 1999, c 160, §14]