Role of the Lt. Governor
The Lieutenant Governor serves to support the administration’s goals and the overall functions of the state. Most notably, the Lieutenant Governor serves as Acting Governor when the Governor is absent from the state or unable to fulfill the duties of office.
Additional responsibilities include overseeing specific state functions, managing intergovernmental relations, serving as a bridge to the legislative branch, and carrying out duties assigned by the Governor.
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor is established under Article V, Section 2 of the Hawaiʻi State Constitution and Section 26-1 of the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes.
Below is an overview of the Lieutenant Governor’s main duties. To learn more, please contact our office.
Acting Governor
When the Governor is out of state or is unable to exercise and discharge the powers and duties of office, the Lieutenant Governor will serve as Acting Governor.
During this time, the Lieutenant Governor will respond to any state emergencies, represent the Governor at ceremonial or community events, and take on any other responsibilities of the Governor.
Special Projects & Initiatives
The Lieutenant Governor heads special projects and initiatives as assigned by the Governor.
Lt. Governor Luke’s main initiatives include Ready Keiki, the state’s plan to provide universal access to preschool, and Connect Kākou, which aims to expand access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet.
Along with these initiatives, Lt. Governor Luke is prioritizing the modernization of state services and operations, as well as supporting efforts in agriculture and workforce development.
International Relations
The Lieutenant Governor supports the administration in maintaining sister-state relationships and international relations.
Hosting dignitary visits, leading international delegation trips, and engaging in various diplomatic activities, the Lieutenant Governor plays a key role in fostering these important sister-state relationships.
Name Changes
Name Changes allow individuals to legally adopt a new name different from their current one.
The Lieutenant Governor’s office oversees this process for Hawaiʻi residents by reviewing and processing name change petitions, ensuring all legal requirements are met, and creating official records of name changes in the state.
Apostilles & Certifications
Apostilles or Certifications issued by the Lieutenant Governor’s office authenticate the seals and signatures on documents for the State of Hawaiʻi, ensuring they are recognized in foreign countries and can be used internationally.
The Lieutenant Governor’s office processes, reviews and authenticates submitted documents, and provides verification when requested.
Publications
Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS) and Session Laws books are retained and distributed by the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
Each year HRS supplements are updated, and the laws enacted are published in the Session Law book. Both are published and updated annually and serve as a record for the laws of the state.
The Lieutenant Governor’s office maintains the full Publication List of publications available for purchase.
Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules
Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) are a set of rules and procedures created by state departments to provide guidance, interpretation, and enforcement of the law.
Once the rules are adopted, they must be filed with the Lieutenant Governor’s office for ten days before they go into effect.
HARs can be found on the departments’ websites or in-person at the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
Agendas
The Sunshine Law requires that all meeting notices and agendas are filed with the Lieutenant Governor’s office and must be posted to the state’s public meeting calendar at least six days before holding a meeting. This ensures transparency and allows public participation in the decision-making process of public agencies.