The department of Hawaiian home lands shall be headed by an executive board to be known as the Hawaiian homes commission.

The commission shall be composed of nine members. The appointment, tenure, and removal of the members and the filling of vacancies on the commission shall be in accordance with § 26-34 and section 202(a) of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended. The governor shall appoint the chairperson of the commission from among the members thereof.

The commission may delegate to the chairperson such duties, powers, and authority, or so much thereof as may be lawful or proper, for the performance of the functions vested in the commission.

The chairperson of the board shall serve in a full-time capacity and shall perform such duties, and exercise such powers and authority, or so much thereof as may be delegated to the chairperson by the board.

The department shall administer the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 as set forth in the Constitution of the State and by law.

The functions and authority heretofore exercised by the Hawaiian homes commission as heretofore constituted are transferred to the department of Hawaiian home lands established by this chapter.