Hawaii island CHARTER QUESTION
This guide provided by Hawaii Forum summarizes the practical effect of the approved 2026 Hawaiʻi County Charter question. It is intended as a plain-language reference and does not advocate for either choice. Reading tip: A YES vote adopts the proposed Charter change. A NO vote leaves the Charter unchanged on that question.
Question 1: County Auditor personnel authority and deputy
BALLOT QUESTION Shall the Hawai‘i County Charter be amended to clarify that the County Auditor has the same power with respect to employees within the Office of the County Auditor as department heads in the executive branch and to specify that the County Auditor may appoint a deputy?
A YES vote expressly gives the County Auditor the same authority over employees in the Auditor’s office that executive-branch department heads have over their employees. It also expressly permits the Auditor to appoint a deputy when the County Council has appropriated funding for the position.
A NO vote leaves the current Charter language in place. The Auditor may hire necessary staff for which the Council has appropriated funds, but the Charter would not add the explicit department-head authority or specifically authorize a deputy.