Section 23-4-8 - Powers of hearing officer in conducting hearings(a) The hearing officer, in conducting a hearing, may: (1) Issue notices of hearings and appearance of parties;(3) Rule upon offers of proof, receive relevant evidence, and exclude irrelevant evidence or restrict questioning or testimony;(4) Regulate the manner of any examination to prevent unnecessary harassment, intimidation, or embarrassment of any witness or party;(5) Remove disruptive individuals;(7) Rule on motions and dispose of procedural requests;(8) Certify a question to the agency for the agency's consideration;(9) Submit in writing a report or recommended decision together with the findings of facts and conclusions of law and a recommended order to the agency for consideration;(10) Render a final decision when authorized by the director or by rule; and(11) Dispose of any matter that normally arises in the course of the proceedings and take action authorized by chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or any other related laws administered by the department.(b) Nothing in this section may prevent the hearing officer to suspend, postpone or terminate the hearing by default.[Eff APR 15 2000] (Auth: HRS § 353C-2) (Imp: HRS § 91-9)