HRS §281-113
How to claim seized property and avoid losing it
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗If your property or liquor was seized, you can file a written claim in court to try to get it back. You must also post a bond to cover costs if you lose. If you lose, the property is forfeited and you pay the court costs.
The statute, as written — Claims
A copy, taken August 20, 2026. The version published by the Legislature is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
If the owner or possessor of any property or liquor seized under this chapter appears and makes claim to the same, the owner or possessor shall file with the court, before whom the proceedings are pending, the owner's or possessor's claim in writing, setting forth the owner's or possessor's interest therein, and the reason why it should not be adjudged forfeited. The owner or possessor shall also give bond in favor of the State sufficient in amount and sureties, approved by such court, conditioned that such claim will be diligently prosecuted and that if it is decided against the owner or possessor the owner or possessor will pay the costs awarded against the owner or possessor. If the judgment is against the claimant, the property and liquor and all containers thereof shall be adjudged forfeited and disposed of as provided in this chapter and judgment shall be rendered against the claimant for all costs of the proceedings incurred after the filing of the claimant's claim. [L Sp 1933, c 40, §72; RL 1935, §2641; RL 1945, §7292; RL 1955, §159-110; HRS §281-113; am L 1970, c 188, §39; gen ch 1985]
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.