Hawaiʻi Rules of Civil Procedure – 2026

The Hawaiʻi Rules of Civil Procedure, governing civil actions in the circuit courts. Coverage runs from scope and commencement, through service, pleadings and motions, parties, discovery and depositions, trials, judgment and provisional remedies, to appeals and general provisions. Rule 26 was comprehensively amended effective January 1, 2022 to require initial disclosures.

Last updated October 04, 2026

Browse all 95 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

I. Scope of Rules -- One Form of Action

Rule 1 Scope of Rules; Interpretation and Enforcement; Effect of Electronic Filing; Automation Rule 1.1 Registration Required Rule 2 One Form of Action

II. Commencement of Action: Service of Process, Pleadings, Motions and Orders

Rule 3 Commencement of Action Rule 3.1 Civil Information Sheet; Additional Claims; And Transfers from District Court Rule 4 Process Rule 5 Service and Filing of Pleadings and Other Papers Rule 6 Times

III. Pleadings and Motions

Rule 7 Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions Rule 8 General Rules of Pleading Rule 9 Pleading Special Matters Rule 10 Form of Pleadings Rule 11 Signing of Pleadings, Motions, and Other Papers; Representations to the Court; Sanctions Rule 11.1 Limited Appearance and Withdrawal Rule 12 Defenses and Objections -- When and How Presented – By Pleading or Motion -- Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings Rule 13 Counterclaim and Cross-claim Rule 14 Third-party Practice Rule 15 Amended and Supplemental Pleadings Rule 16 Pre-trial Conferences; Scheduling; Management Rule 16.1 Expedited or Non-expedited Track Assignment Based on Case Characteristics; Discovery Limitations; Trial Setting Rule 16.2 Appearance by Telephonic or Videoconference Call

IV. Parties

Rule 17 Parties Plaintiff and Defendant; Capacity Rule 18 Joinder of Claims and Remedies Rule 19 Joinder of Persons Needed for Just Adjudication Rule 20 Permissive Joinder of Parties Rule 21 Misjoinder and Nonjoinder of Parties Rule 22 Interpleader Rule 23 Class Actions Rule 23.1 Derivative Actions by Shareholders Rule 23.2 Actions Relating to Unincorporated Associations Rule 24 Intervention Rule 25 Substitution of Parties Rule 25.1 Withdrawal, Substitution, and Appearance of Counsel

V. Depositions and Discovery

Rule 26 General Provisions Governing Discovery Rule 27 Depositions Before Action or Pending Appeal Rule 28 Persons Before Whom Depositions May Be Taken Rule 29 Stipulations Regarding Discovery Procedure Rule 30 Depositions Upon Oral Examination Rule 31 Depositions Upon Written Questions Rule 32 Use of Depositions in Court Proceedings Rule 33 Interrogatories to Parties Rule 34 Production of Documents, Electronically Stored Information and Tangible Things and Entry Upon Land for Inspection and Other Purposes Rule 35 Physical and Mental Examination of Persons Rule 36 Requests for Admission Rule 37 Failure to Make or Cooperate in Discovery; Sanctions

VI. Trials

Rule 38 Jury Trial of Right Rule 39 Trial by Jury or by the Court Rule 40 Assignment of Cases for Trial Rule 41 Dismissal of Actions Rule 41.1 Documents Dismissing an Action or Any Part Rule 42 Consolidation; Separate Trials Rule 43 Taking of Testimony Rule 44 Proof of Official Record Rule 44.1 Determination of Foreign Law Rule 45 Subpoena Rule 46 Exceptions Unnecessary Rule 47 Jurors Rule 48 Juries of Less Than Twelve -- Majority Verdict Rule 49 Special Verdicts and Interrogatories Rule 50 Judgment as a Matter of Law in Jury Trials; Alternative Motion for New Trial; Conditional Rulings Rule 51 Instructions to Jury Rule 52 Findings by the Court Rule 53 Masters

VII. Judgment

Rule 54 Judgments; Costs; Attorneys' Fees Rule 55 Default Rule 56 Summary Judgment Rule 57 Declaratory Judgments Rule 58 Entry of Judgment Rule 59 New Trials; Amendment of Judgments Rule 60 Relief from Judgment or Order Rule 61 Harmless Error Rule 62 Stay of Proceedings to Enforce a Judgment Rule 63 Inability of a Judge to Proceed

VIII. Provisional and Final Remedies And Special Proceedings

Rule 64 Seizure of Person or Property Rule 65 Injunctions Rule 65.1 Security: Proceedings Against Sureties Rule 66 Receivers Appointed by Courts Rule 67 Deposit in Court Rule 68 Offer of Settlement or Judgment Rule 69 Execution Rule 70 Judgment for Specific Acts; Vesting Title Rule 71 Process in Behalf of and Against Persons Not Parties

IX. Appeal

Rule 72 Appeal to a Circuit Court Rule 73 to 76. DELETED

X. Circuit Courts and Clerks

Rule 77 Circuit Courts and Clerks Rule 78 Motion Day Rule 79 Books and Records Kept by the Clerk and Entries Therein Rule 80 Stenographic Report or Transcript as Evidence

XI. General Provisions

Rule 81 Applicability Rule 81.1 Mandamus Rule 82 Jurisdiction and Venue Unaffected Rule 83 Rules by Circuit Courts Rule 84 Forms Rule 85 Title Rule 86 Reserved