Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS

DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR

CATHERINE P. AWAKUNI COLÓN
DIRECTOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 9, 2015

DCCA Names New Executive Director for the State Office of Consumer Protection

HONOLULU – Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Director Catherine P. Awakuni Colón has named Stephen Levins as executive director for the State Office of Consumer Protection (OCP), effective Feb. 13, 2015.

“I am excited that Steve has agreed to return to DCCA,” said Director Awakuni Colón.  “Steve’s expertise in the area of consumer protection, combined with his passion to safeguard consumers will greatly benefit the people of Hawaii.”

For the past three years, Levins has been serving as deputy attorney general at the state’s Office of the Attorney General for the Commerce and Economic Development Division. In his position he provides legal advice to various state boards, including the dental and pharmacy boards. He is also the lead attorney for all consumer protection, which involve multi-state consumer protection matters involving the Office of the Attorney General; including multi-state investigations of abuses involving financial institutions.

With this appointment, Levins returns to his previous post to serve as executive director for OCP, a position he held for 13 years.  As the head of OCP from 1998-2011, Levins led the recovery of more than $30 million in restitution for Hawaii consumers and secured more than $20 million in penalties paid to the State of Hawaii.

Levins has also served as deputy corporation counsel, and deputy prosecuting attorney for the City and County of Honolulu.

“I have devoted my legal career to protecting Hawaii consumers from unfair or deceptive trade practices,” said Levins. “I’m very excited to once again have the opportunity to serve the people of Hawaii as the executive director of the Office of Consumer Protection.”

OCP is state’s primary agency responsible for reviewing, investigating and prosecuting allegations of unfair or deceptive trade practices in consumer transactions. The office promotes fair and honest business practices by investigating alleged violations of consumer protection laws, by taking legal action to stop unfair or deceptive practices in the marketplace, and by educating the consumer public and businesses regarding their respective rights and obligations.

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