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HRS §346-239

When a hearing can be delayed if someone is missing

This section says a hearing about protecting a vulnerable adult should not be delayed just because another person is absent or not served, if reasonable efforts were made and delay would harm the vulnerable adult. If a delay happens, the court must state it is safe and list steps to serve the person.

courtsvulnerable adults

The statute, as written — Required findings concerning postponed hearings

Except as otherwise provided, no hearing shall be delayed upon the grounds that a party other than the vulnerable adult is not present at the hearing or has not been served with a copy of the order for immediate protection or the petition, where reasonable efforts have been made to effect service and it would be detrimental to the vulnerable adult to postpone the proceedings until service can be made. Whenever a hearing is delayed or postponed under this section, the court shall enter a finding that it will not be detrimental to the vulnerable adult and shall also specify what additional measures shall be undertaken to effect service.
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.