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HRS §373-14.3

Hearing officer powers and enforcing subpoenas

In hearings, the director or hearing officer can act like a circuit court judge: they can swear in witnesses, require people to come and bring documents, and question witnesses. If someone ignores an order or subpoena, a circuit court judge can force them to comply, just like in court.

courts

The statute, as written — Hearings

In all proceedings, the director or hearings officer duly appointed by the director shall have the same powers respecting administering oaths, compelling the attendance of witnesses, producing documentary evidence, and examining witnesses as are possessed by circuit courts. In case of disobedience by any person of any order or subpoena issued by the director or hearings officer, or the refusal of any witness to testify to any matter regarding which the witness may be questioned lawfully, any circuit judge, on application by the director or hearings officer, shall compel obedience as in the case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued by a circuit court, or a refusal to testify therein.
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.