The Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Honolulu City Council. They receive no compensation for their services.

The Commission has the following mandated responsibilities:

• Appoints and may remove the Ocean Safety Chief
• Adopts rules necessary for the conduct of its business and reviews rules for the administration of the Department of Ocean Safety
• Reviews the annual budget prepared by the Ocean Safety Chief and makes recommendations thereon to the Mayor and the Council
• Reviews the Department’s operations, as deemed necessary, for the purpose of recommending improvements to the Ocean Safety Chief
• Evaluates at least annually the performance of the Ocean Safety Chief and submits a report to the Mayor and the Council
• Hears complaints of citizens concerning the Department or its personnel and, if deemed necessary, makes recommendations to the Ocean Safety Chief on appropriate corrective actions
• Submits an annual report to the Mayor and the Council on its activities