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HRS §26-39

Department heads can organize their staffs

This section lets a department head hire, fire, move, or change the jobs and pay of their workers, as long as the governor approves and money is available. All workers in the department must follow the department head's orders, unless the law says otherwise.

state agencies

The statute, as written — Department staffs

Except as otherwise provided by this chapter and with the approval of the governor, the head of a department may establish or abolish any subordinate office or position, transfer officers and employees between positions, appoint and remove any subordinate, and change the duties, titles, and compensation of offices and positions as is deemed necessary by the head of the department for the efficient functioning of the department, subject to the limitations of available appropriations and of the provisions of chapter 76. All officers and employees within a department shall be under the supervision, direction and control of the head of the department, except as otherwise provided by this chapter. [L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §8; Supp, §14A-6; HRS §26-39; am L 2000, c 253, §150]
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.