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HRS §46-72

Notice required before suing the county for injuries

Before you can sue the county for injuries or property damage on public property or from county employee negligence, you must give written notice within two years. The notice must say when, where, and how it happened, the extent of harm, and the amount you claim. You must give it to the person named in the county charter, or if none, the council chairperson or county clerk.

everyone

The statute, as written — Liability for injuries or damages; notice

Before the county shall be liable for damages to any person for injuries to person or property received upon any of the streets, avenues, alleys, sidewalks, or other public places of the county, or on account of any negligence of any official or employee of the county, the person injured, or the owner or person entitled to the possession, occupation, or use of the property injured, or someone on the person's behalf, within two years after the injuries accrued shall give the individual identified in the respective county's charter, or if none is specified, the chairperson of the council of the county or the clerk of the county in which the injuries occurred, notice in writing of the injuries and the specific damages resulting, stating fully when, where, and how the injuries or damage occurred, the extent of the injuries or damages, and the amount claimed.
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.