Concerned about ethics in state government? Want to make a difference? Here’s your chance top step up and give something back to the community as a member of the State Ethics Commission, which interprets and enforces the state ethics and lobbying laws, and oversees public disclosures of personal finances of public officials, and gifts, if any, they receive.

The commission appears to be having trouble finding a sufficient pool of applicants to serve as members of the commission, and has extended its application period again.

The following press release was distributed yesterday.

It isn’t necessary to be an attorney or to have any specific experience. A link to the application form is included at the end of the press release.

Deadline Further Extended to Submit Applications for State Ethics Commission

HONOLULU – The Judicial Council announced today that the deadline to submit applications to fill a vacancy on the Hawai?i State Ethics Commission is further extended from March 22 to April 15, 2024.

Members of the Commission serve on a voluntary basis. Travel expenses incurred by neighbor island commissioners to attend meetings on O?ahu will be reimbursed.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, residents of the State of Hawai?i, and may not hold any other public office.

The Ethics Commission addresses ethical issues involving legislators, registered lobbyists, and state employees (with the exception of judges, who are governed by the Commission on Judicial Conduct). The five commission members are responsible for investigating complaints, providing advisory opinions, and enforcing decisions issued by the Commission. The Hawai?i State Constitution prohibits members of the State Ethics Commission from taking an active part in political management or political campaigns.

The Judicial Council nominates two individuals for each vacancy on the Commission. The nominees’ names are sent to the Governor, who selects one of the nominees for appointment.

Interested persons should submit an application along with a resume and three letters of recommendation (attesting to the applicant’s character and integrity) postmarked by Monday, April 15, 2024 to: Judicial Council, Hawai?i Supreme Court, 417 S. King Street, Second Floor, Honolulu, Hawai?i 96813-2902.

Applications are available on the Hawai?i State Judiciary website or by calling the Judicial Council support staff at 808-539-4702.