[§132-38]  State fire marshal; terms of employment.  (a)  The state fire marshal shall be the administrator of the office.  If a state fire marshal has not already been appointed by the state fire council by June 30, 2025, as set forth in Act 209, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, the state fire marshal shall be appointed by the governor from a list of three names submitted by the state fire council.  The state fire marshal shall serve for a term of five years.  The appointment of the state fire marshal shall be made without regard to chapters 76 and 89, and shall not be subject to the advice and consent of the senate.  If a vacancy occurs, the state fire council shall meet expeditiously to submit a list of three names to the governor for a new state fire marshal to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

     (b)  The state fire marshal shall be qualified to direct the technical and executive work of the office and shall have education or training related to the programs of the office and significant experience in managing fire protection or related programs. [L 2025, c 302, pt of §3]