Rule 17 Original Proceedings

Here's a plain English summary of this rule:

If you want to start a case directly in the appeals court, rather than appealing a decision from a lower court, you have to follow two sets of guidelines. First, you need to follow any state laws that apply to your specific request, whether that's a writ or some other type of relief. Second, you need to follow any specific instructions the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court gives about how the case should proceed.

This type of case is different from a normal appeal because you're not challenging a decision that was already made in a lower court. Instead, you're asking the appeals court to step in directly, often to order someone to do something or stop doing something. Because these cases can vary so much depending on what you're asking for, the court keeps the rule flexible and points you toward the specific laws and orders that fit your situation.

If you're thinking about filing this kind of case, it's worth checking both the relevant statutes and any recent supreme court orders before you start, since missing a requirement could delay or derail your case.