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HRS §200-44

Getting your vessel back before the auction

If you have an interest in a vessel that was taken into custody, you can get it back before the public auction by paying all the costs the agency incurred. If you are not the registered owner, you must also post security, which is returned if not forfeited.

everyone

The statute, as written — Possession by interested party

Any person having an interest in the vessel taken into custody may take possession of the vessel prior to the date of public auction upon payment to the state or county agency that took custody of the vessel of all use fees, towing, handling and storage charges, appraisal and advertising expenses, and any other expenses incurred by that state or county agency in connection with the vessel. If the person taking possession of the vessel is not the registered or documented owner, the person, prior to taking possession of the vessel, shall pay the foregoing expenses and post security satisfactory to the state or county agency, which shall not exceed the value of the vessel. The security, if not forfeited, shall be returned to the person posting it within two years after receipt.
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.