Hiring staff and managing the ombudsman's office

(a) The ombudsman shall appoint a first assistant and other officers and employees as may be necessary to carry out this chapter. All employees, including the first assistant, shall be hired by the ombudsman and shall serve at the ombudsman's pleasure. (b) In determining the salary of each employee, the ombudsman shall consult with the department of human resources development and shall follow as closely as possible the recommendations of the department. Effective July 1, 2007, the first assistant's salary shall be not more than ninety-two per cent of the salary of the ombudsman. (c) The ombudsman and the ombudsman's full-time staff shall be entitled to participate in any employee benefit plan. (d) The ombudsman may delegate to the ombudsman's appointees any of the ombudsman's duties except those specified in sections 96-12 and 96-13; provided that during the absence of the ombudsman from the island of Oahu, or the ombudsman's temporary inability to exercise and discharge the powers and duties of the ombudsman's office, the powers and duties as contained in sections 96-12 and 96-13 shall devolve upon the first assistant during the ombudsman's absence or inability. (e) The funds for the support of the office of the ombudsman shall be provided for in the act providing for the expenses of the legislature.