HRS §46-181
When lawsuits are not allowed
This section stops people from suing a county if the same issue is already in a lawsuit or penalty case involving the county. It also requires courts to dismiss cases that repeat information already public, unless the county attorney or an original source brings it. An original source is someone who told the county the information before it became public.
countiescourts
The statute, as written — Certain actions barred
(a) In no event may a person bring an action under this part that is based upon allegations or transactions which are the subject of a civil suit or an administrative civil money penalty proceeding in which a county is already a party. (b) The court shall dismiss an action or claim under this part, unless opposed by a county, if the allegations or transactions alleged in the action or claim are substantially the same as those publicly disclosed: (1) In a criminal, civil, or administrative hearing in which a county or its agent is a party; (2) In a county council or other county report, hearing, audit, or investigation; or (3) By the news media, unless the action is brought by the county attorney or the person bringing the action is an original source of the information. (c) For purposes of this section, "original source" means an individual who: (1) Prior to public disclosure under subsection (b), has voluntarily disclosed to a county the information on which the allegations or transactions in a claim are based; or (2) Has knowledge that is independent of and materially adds to the publicly disclosed allegations or transactions, and who has voluntarily provided the information to a county before filing an action under this part.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.