HONOLULU (KHON2) — The salary commission is recommending big pay raises for state officials.
The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, judges, legislators and more could see raises as high as 61%.
The salary commission is required by law to submit salary recommendations to lawmakers every six years.
The numbers are still a draft, but after multiple meetings over the last few months, the commission is looking at 61% pay increase for governor, a 52% increase for Lt. Governor, and 48 to 51% increase for directors and deputy directors over six years.
Judges would see anywhere from 54% to 61% increases and lawmakers would see a 64% increase over the six year period.
“We didn’t think the current income, if it was the only income for the family, was sufficient for Hawaii, and our concern about that is we see some legislatures serve one to two terms and then move on because it simply doesn’t pay enough,” said salary commissioner Susan Arnett, discussing Hawaii’s high cost of living.
“I have been proposing significant raises for the judges, even considering the pension, because I know how difficult it is to get qualified candidates to sit on a bench,” said Margery Bronster, former state attorney general and salary commissioner.
Retention, recruitment and having competitive wages with the U.S. mainland were all discussed, along with the high cost of living, and they reminded testifiers the salary recommendations are for the position, not people currently in those positions.
The first year raises, as it’s currently written, are between 18% for deputy directors to 32% for governor and chief justice, then smaller increases each year through 2031. According to the Hawaii state constitution, lawmakers are not allowed to see pay increases for at least two years following pay raise increases because they have to vote on whether to approve or not.
“People are upset and its unfortunately, it’s not necessarily us, I think we can thank city council for it, but everyone has this 64% stuck in their mind and they think its absurd and they [city council] got 64% in a year, where at best case scenario, we’re going to do is have it drawn out, not all at once,” said Salary Commission Chair Colleen Hanabusa.
If approved by lawmakers, some raises would begin July 1 and, if the numbers are approved as is, it would make Governor Green the highest paid governor in the country.
The proposal can be accepted or rejected by the legislature – no amendments can be made.
The commission is likely to have one more hearing before finalizing the numbers.
The commission said Gov. Green commented on a smaller pay raise than what they proposed. Currently, Mayor Rick Blangiardi makes more money than the Governor currently does.
Highest Paid Governors in the country
- New York: $250,000
- Pennsylvania: $246,000
- California: $242,295
- Massachusetts: $243,493
- Tennessee: $224,148
Currently, Gov. Green’s salary is $189,480; and would increase 32% to $250,116 in 2026, and then Governor’s would see a 4% increase over the next five years through 2031.
He wouldn’t be the highest paid person in the state though.
The Chief Justice of Hawaii currently makes $248,124, and would increase 32% to $327,528, and then a 4% increase over the next five years through 2031.
Lawmakers currently make $74,160, and would see a 40% pay increase on the third year (2028), to $103,824, and up to $121,284 in 2031.