← Back to search

HRS §171-31.6

Criminal penalties for breaking this chapter

If you break this chapter or its rules, you can be charged with a petty misdemeanor. Fines and possible jail time increase for repeat offenses. The state can also sue you for fines and costs separately from any criminal case.

everyone

The statute, as written — Criminal penalties

(a) Any person found guilty of a violation of this chapter or any rules adopted thereunder shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor and shall be punished as follows: (1) For a first offense, by a mandatory fine of not less than $500, or imprisonment of not more than thirty days, or both; (2) For a second offense within five years of a previous conviction under this section, by a mandatory fine of not less than $1,000, or imprisonment of not more than thirty days, or both; and (3) For a third or subsequent offense within five years of two prior convictions under this section, by a mandatory fine of not less than $2,000, or imprisonment of not more than thirty days, or both. (b) Any criminal action against a person for any violation under this section shall not be deemed to preclude the State from pursuing civil legal action to recover administrative fines and costs against the person. Any civil legal action against a person to recover administrative fines and costs for any violation of this chapter or any rules adopted thereunder shall not be deemed to preclude the State from pursuing any criminal action against that person pursuant to this section.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.