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HRS §414-200

How to fill an empty seat on the board

This section explains who can fill a board vacancy. Shareholders or the board can fill it, unless the company's rules say otherwise. If a director was elected by a special group, only that group votes. A future vacancy can be filled early, but the new director starts later.

The statute, as written — Vacancy on board

(a) Unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, if a vacancy occurs on a board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors: (1) The shareholders may fill the vacancy; (2) The board of directors may fill the vacancy; or (3) If the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board, they may fill the vacancy by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office. (b) If the vacant office was held by a director elected by a voting group of shareholders, only the holders of shares of that voting group are entitled to vote to fill the vacancy if it is filled by the shareholders. (c) A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date under section 414-197(b) or otherwise) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§414-197 Directors can resign

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