HRS §437-12
Dealers must have and deliver ownership papers for cars
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗A dealer cannot sell or advertise a new car unless they have the official ownership paper or a certificate of origin from the maker. For used cars, they must have proof that all liens are paid and the ownership paper or proof they can get it. The ownership paper must be given to the buyer within the time set by another law.
buyers
The statute, as written — Legal ownership certificates
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.
(a) Possession of or right to possess legal ownership certificate. No dealer shall sell or advertise for sale a new motor vehicle unless the dealer has in the dealer's possession the actual legal ownership certificate or a certificate of origin or its equivalent issued to the dealer by the manufacturer or distributor for the subject motor vehicle. No dealer shall sell or advertise for sale a used motor vehicle unless the dealer has in the dealer's possession evidence that all liens on the subject motor vehicle have been satisfied and the actual legal ownership certificate or proof of the right to possess the legal ownership certificate for the subject motor vehicle. (b) Delivery of legal ownership certificate. The legal ownership certificate shall be delivered within the time period specified in section 286-52(b).
Sections this one refers to
§286-52 What to do when a vehicle's title changes hands
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.