Green Declines to Renew Attorney General Lopez
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green will not renew the contract of Attorney General Anne Lopez as he assembles his second-term cabinet.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in People
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green decided not to renew the contract of Attorney General Anne Lopez, who was informed of the decision by email on Wednesday. The governor's office said it is assembling Green's second-term cabinet and will announce appointments at a later date.
Why it matters
The decision removes the state's top legal officer from her post as the governor begins shaping his second-term team. It signals that the attorney general's position will change hands as the new administration sets its priorities.
Lopez assumed the role of Hawaii Attorney General in December 2022 after serving as COO and general counsel for Hawaii Health Systems Corporation. No replacement has been named, and the governor's office has not yet announced its second-term cabinet appointments.
The players
Josh Green
Josh Green is the Governor of Hawaii, who is assembling his cabinet for his second term in office.
Anne Lopez
Anne Lopez is Hawaii's Attorney General, appointed in December 2022, whose contract the governor has decided not to renew.
The details
Green made the decision not to renew Lopez's contract, and she notified staff of it by email on Wednesday, November 4. Before becoming attorney general, Lopez was special assistant to former Attorney General David Louie.
Timeline
December 2022: Lopez assumed the role of Hawaii Attorney General.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Lopez notified staff of the non-renewal by email.
Date to be announced: The governor's office will announce Green's second-term cabinet appointments.
Roadmap
Governors typically reshape their cabinets at the start of a second term, and Hawaii's attorney general post is now part of that turnover. The change places Lopez's successor, not yet named, in charge of the state's legal office during the new administration.
Hawaii residents will see a new attorney general lead the state's legal office once the replacement is confirmed. The change affects how state legal matters are handled during the governor's second term.
The takeaway
Leadership turnover at the start of a second term often reshapes priorities for the state's legal office. Watch for the governor's cabinet announcement to learn who will lead Hawaii's attorney general's office next.
What happens next
The governor's office will announce Green's second-term cabinet appointments at a later date, which will identify Lopez's successor.
Further reading
Explore more on People coverage of state leadership changes in Hawaii.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hawaiinewsnow.
