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The Maui News
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Director Nadine Ando has named Mana Moriarty as executive director of the Office of Consumer Protection, according to a news release Thursday.
The executive director for the office is the consumer counsel for the State of Hawaii and represents and protects the state, the counties and the public as consumers.
The Office of Consumer Protection, together with the Department of the Attorney General, investigates and brings lawsuits to enforce Hawaii's consumer protection laws. The office also educates consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities, works with government agencies to protect and promote the interests of consumers and recommends new laws and amendments to the governor and the state Legislature. The office also operates the state's Landlord-Tenant Information Center.
Moriarty joins the office from the Department of the Attorney General, where he represented Hawaii in lawsuits against opioids distributors and manufacturers, e-cigarette companies and the federal government. Moriarty also represented the state in legal proceedings against car manufacturers, student loan servicers and post-secondary educational institutions.
"Protecting consumers and bringing businesses into compliance with consumer protection laws will ensure commerce is conducted honestly and transparently," said Moriarty. "Consistent with past practice, the Office of Consumer Protection will continue to take enforcement actions when consumer protection laws have been violated."