Office of the Governor

The Office of ke Kiaʻāina heads Hawaii's executive branch, with constitutional authority to execute state law, administer executive departments, issue executive orders, sign or veto legislation, and direct the state's response to emergencies. The Governor appoints department heads, board members, and judges subject to Senate confirmation, and sets the administration's policy priorities through the state budget and legislative proposals. The Governor's decisions on major policy issues — from housing to education to disaster response — affect all nā kānaka o Hawaiʻi.

The Governor's policy priorities, budget proposals, and appointments shape virtually every aspect of ke aupuni mokuʻāina; hiki i nā kānaka ke komo through testimony on ke Kiaʻāina's budget, participation in state advisory boards, or direct communication with the office.