HRS §26-31
How department heads are chosen and removed
Each state department has one leader, chosen by the governor with senate approval. They serve until the governor's term ends. The governor can fire them anytime, except the attorney general needs senate approval.
state agencies
The statute, as written — Selection and terms of single executives as heads of departments
Except as otherwise provided by the Constitution of the State or by this chapter, each principal department shall be headed by a single executive, who shall be nominated and, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, appointed by the governor, for a term to expire at the end of the term for which the governor was elected. A vacancy occurring during a term shall be filled for the unexpired balance of the term, subject to the provisions of Article V, section 6 of the Constitution of the State. The governor may remove a single executive from office at any time, except that the removal of the attorney general shall be subject to the advice and consent of the senate. [L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §4; Supp, §14A-2; HRS §26-31; am L 1969, c 24, §1]
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