STATE ETHICS COMMISSION ISSUES DECISION AFFIRMING NOTICE OF VIOLATION AND ORDER AGAINST BRENTON AWA, REQ-2024-0222

News Release from Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission, Dec 4, 2025 

The Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission announced that it has affirmed a Notice of Violation and Order against Senator Brenton Awa (District 23) for violating the Fair Treatment law of the State Ethics Code. The Fair Treatment law prohibits state officials and employees from using state resources for political campaign purposes.

The original Notice of Violation and Order, issued on August 20, 2025, found that Senator Awa used state resources—including his state office, state staff, and state time—to film a video supporting a political campaign. Senator Awa contested the Notice and requested a hearing. The Commission held a public, livestreamed hearing on November 3, 2025.

After considering the evidence and arguments presented, the Commission upheld its original determination and found that Senator Awa violated the Fair Treatment law. The Commission also affirmed the administrative fine of $999.99 previously imposed in the Notice and Order.

The decision is available at: https://files.hawaii.gov/ethics/advice/DEC2025-1.pdf

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