HRS §26-32
Acting department heads
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗This section lets a department head choose someone else in their office to temporarily take over if they are away or sick, with the governor's approval. The choice must be in writing and filed with the lieutenant governor. The acting person has the head's powers but gets no extra pay, and the head stays responsible for their actions.
courtsstate agencies
The statute, as written — Acting heads of departments; appointment of; responsibility for acts of
A copy, taken August 20, 2026. The version published by the Legislature is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
Any officer for the performance of whose duties in his absence or illness no other provision is made by law, may, with the approval of the governor, designate some other officer in his department, bureau, or office to act in his temporary absence or illness. The designation shall be in writing and shall be filed in the office of the lieutenant governor. The respective heads of departments shall be responsible and liable on their official bonds for all acts done or performed by the persons designated to act in their absence as herein prescribed; except that responsibility for property during absence may be transferred upon the written consent of the governor. The persons so designated shall, during the temporary absence or illness of the head of the office, have all the powers of the head of the office and shall be known as the acting head, but shall not be entitled to any additional compensation while so acting.
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