§201B-2 Hawaii tourism authority; establishment; board; president and chief executive officer. (a) There is established the Hawaii tourism authority, which shall be a body corporate and a public instrumentality of the State, for the purpose of implementing this chapter. The authority shall be placed within the department of business, economic development, and tourism for administrative purposes only.
(b) The authority shall be headed by an advisory board of directors that shall consist of twelve members; provided that:
(c) Members shall be appointed by the governor for terms of four years; provided that membership on the board shall not exceed eight consecutive years; provided further that each member shall hold office until the member's successor is appointed and qualified.
(d) The board shall elect a chairperson from among the members.
(e) Seven members shall constitute a quorum and a minimum of seven affirmative votes shall be necessary for all actions by the authority. The members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including traveling expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.
(f) The board shall submit a nominee to the governor who shall transmit a governor's message with the name of the nominee to the senate within ten days of receipt, and shall, subject to the advice and consent of the senate, appoint the nominee to serve as president and chief executive officer, exempt from chapter 76, who shall oversee the authority staff; provided that the compensation package shall not include private sector moneys or other contributions. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the president and chief executive officer shall report to the governor.
The board shall set the president and chief executive officer's duties, responsibilities, holidays, vacations, leaves, hours of work, and working conditions. It may grant other benefits as it deems necessary. The board shall set the length of the president and chief executive officer's term of service pursuant to written contract. [L 1998, c 156, pt of §2; am L 2000, c 253, §150; am L 2002, c 143, §2 and c 148, §19; am L 2003, c 3, §3; am L 2004, c 10, §7 and c 58, §§6, 14(2); am L 2005, c 22, §§46, 50 and c 235, §4; am L 2006, c 306, §1; am L 2007, c 187, §2; am L Sp 2009, c 5, §§4, 12; am L 2010, c 102, §5; am L 2015, c 46, §1; am L Sp 2021, c 1, §18; am L 2022, c 220, §3; am L 2025, c 132, §3 and c 168, §2]