Department of the Attorney General, State of Hawaii

Background

The Department of the Attorney General serves as the chief legal and law enforcement entity for the State of Hawaii. Its mission is to provide excellent legal and public services in a timely manner. The department is led by the Attorney General, who is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. The current Attorney General is Anne E. Lopez, who assumed office on December 5, 2022.

The department comprises over 180 attorneys and more than 500 professional and support personnel, making it the largest law firm in Hawaii. It operates statewide, with offices on Oahu, the Big Island, Kauai, and Maui.

Key Strategic Focus

The Department of the Attorney General focuses on several core areas:

Legal Services: Representing the State in civil and criminal cases, providing legal opinions to state officials, and defending state agencies and employees in lawsuits related to their official duties.

Criminal Justice: Prosecuting fraud, environmental crimes, and other offenses; administering crime prevention programs; and operating the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center.

Civil Litigation: Enforcing laws related to anti-trust, tax, licensing, and environmental regulations; and defending the State against claims for violations of federal law or improper execution of state laws.

Administrative Law: Advising state boards and commissions, including the Board of Education and the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

Advice and Counsel: Reviewing legislation, rules, and contracts; interpreting laws; and providing legal advice to state officials.

Financials and Funding

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, the Department reported:

Total Revenues: $207.6 million, a decrease of 55% from the previous year, primarily due to a significant settlement in the prior fiscal year.

Total Expenses: $221.3 million, a decrease of 50.9% from the previous year, reflecting the settlement and other financial activities.

Net Position: A decrease of approximately $13.7 million, resulting in a net position of $25.6 million at the end of the fiscal year.

Pipeline Development

As a governmental agency, the Department does not have a product pipeline in the traditional sense. However, it continually develops and implements programs and initiatives to enhance legal services, criminal justice, and public safety. Notable recent initiatives include:

Crime Dashboard: Launched an online platform to replace traditional crime publications, providing accessible and detailed crime statistics.

Professional Fundraiser Registration System: Implemented a system for paid professional solicitors and fundraising counsels to register and report, enhancing transparency in charitable solicitations.

Technological Platform and Innovation

The Department leverages various technological platforms and innovations to enhance its services:

Hawaii Sex Offender Search App: A mobile application that allows users to access information about registered sex offenders in Hawaii, including alerts for changes in offender status.

Crime Dashboard: An online platform providing detailed crime statistics, replacing traditional print publications and offering interactive data analysis.

Leadership Team

Anne E. Lopez: Attorney General of Hawaii since December 5, 2022. Prior to her appointment, Lopez was the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel for the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation.

Dana O. Viola: First Deputy Attorney General, serving as the principal assistant to the Attorney General and overseeing the department's operations.

Russell A. Suzuki: Former Attorney General of Hawaii, serving from 2014 to 2019, and currently serving as the First Deputy Attorney General.

Leadership Changes

Anne E. Lopez: Appointed as Attorney General on December 5, 2022, succeeding Holly T. Shikada.

Holly T. Shikada: Served as Attorney General from December 10, 2021, to December 5, 2022, following the resignation of Clare E. Connors.

Competitor Profile

As a governmental agency, the Department of the Attorney General does not have direct competitors in the traditional sense. However, it collaborates with various state and federal agencies, including:

Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA): Oversees the Office of Consumer Protection, which shares enforcement authority over state consumer protection laws.

County Prosecuting Attorneys: Work alongside the Attorney General's office in prosecuting criminal cases within their respective jurisdictions.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

The Department engages in several collaborations and partnerships to enhance its effectiveness:

Hawaii Information Consortium: Partnered to develop the Professional Fundraiser Registration System, improving transparency in charitable solicitations.

Federal Agencies: Collaborates with federal entities on various initiatives, including investigations into federal tax crimes.

Operational Insights

The Department's strategic considerations include:

Resource Allocation: Managing a large team of attorneys and support staff to effectively handle a wide range of legal matters.

Program Implementation: Developing and implementing programs to enhance public safety, such as crime prevention initiatives and the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center.