Bill > SB2823

This bill establishes an independent process for handling complaints made by employees, officers, and trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), an agency responsible for managing assets and serving native Hawaiian beneficiaries. Instead of OHA investigating its own personnel, any complaints alleging misconduct, ethics violations, discrimination, retaliation, or misuse of funds will be immediately sent, without any internal review or delay, to appropriate independent state agencies. Specifically, complaints about ethics violations will go to the State Ethics Commission, those concerning discrimination or retaliation will be sent to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, and all other allegations will be directed to the Department of the Attorney General. The bill also includes protections for whistleblowers who report wrongdoing and establishes penalties, including civil fines of up to $10,000, for OHA employees or trustees who fail to report complaints, conceal information, obstruct investigations, or retaliate against those who report issues. Furthermore, OHA will be required to submit an annual report to the legislature detailing the number and general categories of complaints referred to independent agencies.

Government Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2823&year=2026