HRS §96-10
Ombudsman's power to get information
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗This section gives the ombudsman the power to force people to testify or hand over documents for an investigation. The ombudsman can also go to court to make these powers work. Witnesses keep the same protections they would have in court.
everyone
The statute, as written — Powers
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.
Subject to the privileges which witnesses have in the courts of this State, the ombudsman may: (1) Compel at a specified time and place, by a subpoena, the appearance and sworn testimony of any person who the ombudsman reasonably believes may be able to give information relating to a matter under investigation; and (2) Compel any person to produce documents, papers, or objects which the ombudsman reasonably believes may relate to a matter under investigation. The ombudsman may bring suit in an appropriate state court to enforce these powers.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.