Definitions for County Ethics Rules

As used in this article: “Agency” means the County of Hawai‘i and any other governmental unit of the County. “Board” means the board of ethics. “Business” includes a corporation, a partnership, a sole proprietorship, a trust or foundation, or other individual organization carrying on a business, whether or not operated for profit. “Compensation” means any money, thing of value, or economic benefit conferred on or received by any person in return for services rendered or to be rendered by oneself or another. “Controlling interest” means an interest in a business or other undertaking which is sufficient in fact to control, whether the interest be greater or less than fifty percent. “Employee” means any person, except an officer, employed by the County or any agency thereof but the term shall not include an independent contractor. “Financial interest” means an interest held by an individual, the individual’s spouse, or dependent children which is: (1) An ownership interest in a business. (2) A creditor interest in an insolvent business. (3) An employment, or prospective employment for which negotiations have begun. (4) An ownership interest in real or personal property. (5) A loan or other debtor interest. (6) A directorship or officership in a business. “Immediate family member” means: (1) An employee’s or officer’s parent, grandparent, stepparent, child, grandchild, stepchild, foster child, adopted child, sibling, half-sibling, stepsibling, foster sibling, adopted sibling, parent’s sibling, first cousin, sibling’s child, spouse, spouse’s parent, child-in-law, or sibling-in-law, or any individual who has become an employee’s or officer’s child or sibling through informal adoptive practices; and (2) An individual who resides in the same dwelling unit as an employee or officer. SUPP. 18 (7-2025) 2-30 ADMINISTRATION § 2-82 “Officer” includes the following: (1) The mayor, members of the council, and all other elected officials of the County; (2) Any person appointed as the administrative head of any agency of the County; (3) The first deputy or first assistant to the administrative head of any agency of the County; (4) Any person appointed as a member of a board or commission specifically provided for in the Charter, but not including boards and commissions having only advisory powers and functions; (5) Any person appointed as a member of any board or commission not specifically provided for in the Charter, but not including boards and commissions having only advisory powers and functions; (6) The managing director and deputy managing director. “Official act” or “official action” means a decision, recommendation, approval, disapproval, or other action, including inaction, which involves the use of discretionary authority. “Official authority” includes administrative or legislative powers of decision, recommendation, approval, disapproval, or other discretionary action.