HAR § 18-234-04 — Powers and duties

(a) The commission shall: (1) Receive, process, review, and investigate each claim; (2) Conduct a hearing regarding each claim to ascertain the amount of losses suffered by a claimant, in accordance with chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes; provided that, if the commission and claimant agree that there is a no dispute as to the facts or the amount of a §18-234-05 NATURAL DISASTER CLAIMS COMMISSION claim involved in a particular matter, the claimant may waive in writing the opportunity for a hearing provided by these administrative rules; (3) Administer oaths or affirmations to persons testifying before the commission; (4) Determine the amount of losses sustained by a claimant based upon the evidence presented to the commission; (5) Certify the amount of losses to the director; (6) Seek advice from the Office of the Attorney General when legal assistance is necessary; (7) Prescribe and prepare the necessary forms to be used. (b) The commission may: (1) On its own motion, request or require the appearance of any witness it deems necessary or who may assist the commission in determining losses; (2) Require the production of a claimant’s account books, bank books, bank statements, records, vouchers, copies of state and federal tax returns, and any and all documents and evidences having any relevancy to the determination of losses; (3) Seek additional advice from any person it believes may assist the commission in its review of claims; and (4) Transmit copies of certifications of losses to the director of finance of the county in which the disaster occurred.