Hawaii Revised Statutes Division 1. Government § 392-73

The referee shall not be bound by common law or statutory rules of evidence or by technical rules of procedure, but any hearing or appeal before the same shall be conducted in such manner as to ascertain the substantial rights of the parties. No person shall participate on behalf of the director in any case in which that person has a direct or indirect interest. A record shall be kept of all testimony and proceedings in connection with an appeal, but the testimony need not be transcribed unless further review is initiated. Witnesses subpoenaed pursuant to this section shall be allowed fees at a rate fixed by the department and such fees shall be deemed part of the expenses of administering this chapter.