A trustee is a person or entity designated by a person who creates a trust (grantor, settlor, or trustor) to manage and administer the trust for the benefit of the named beneficiary or beneficiaries. The trustee of a trust created for estate planning purposes is often the grantor, settlor, or trustor who created and funded the trust.

A trust agreement may designate one or more successor trustees who will become the trustee if the previous trustee dies, is unable to continue to serve as trustee, resigns as trustee, or is removed by court order following a lawsuit filed by the beneficiary or beneficiaries of the trust.

A trustee has a fiduciary duty to the beneficiary or beneficiaries of the trust. A fiduciary duty includes the highest duty of care (performance of duties under the terms of the trust agreement) and of loyalty (avoiding conflicts of interest) recognized in law.

In Hawaii, a trustee is responsible for managing a trust in accordance with the terms set forth by the grantor and in the best interests of the beneficiaries. The trustee's role includes a fiduciary duty, which is the highest standard of care in managing the trust's assets and avoiding conflicts of interest. Hawaii law outlines the responsibilities and powers of trustees under the Hawaii Revised Statutes, specifically in Title 30A - Uniform Probate Code. Successor trustees can be appointed in the trust agreement to take over if the original trustee can no longer serve due to death, incapacity, resignation, or removal by a court. If a trustee fails to uphold their fiduciary duties, beneficiaries may seek legal recourse, which could lead to the trustee's removal by court order. It is important for trustees to understand their legal obligations and for beneficiaries to be aware of their rights under the trust and Hawaii law.