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HRS §480-1

What key words mean in this law

This section defines important words used in the law, like consumer, seller, and class action. It explains who counts as a person and what buying or selling includes. These definitions help you understand the rest of the law.

everyone

The statute, as written — Definitions

As used in this chapter: "Class action" includes the definition as provided in rule 23 of the Hawaii rules of civil procedure. "Commodity" includes, but is not restricted to, goods, merchandise, produce, choses in action, and any other article of commerce. It also includes trade or business in service trades, transportation, insurance, banking, lending, advertising, bonding, and any other business. "Consumer" means a natural person who, primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, purchases, attempts to purchase, or is solicited to purchase goods or services or who commits money, property, or services in a personal investment. "De facto class action" means an action that has not been certified by the court but includes identical considerations as provided in Hawaii rules of civil procedure rule 23 such as common questions of law or fact, claims or defenses of the representative parties are typical of the claims or defenses of nonparties and, as a practical matter, the disposition of the interest of the class or other members not parties to the adjudications would substantially impair or impede their ability to protect their interest. "Person" or "persons" includes individuals, corporations, firms, trusts, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, limited liability limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and incorporated or unincorporated associations, existing under or authorized by the laws of this State, or any other state, or any foreign country. "Purchase" or "buy" includes "contract to buy", "lease", "contract to lease", "acquire a license", and "contract to acquire a license". "Purchaser" includes the equivalent terms of "purchase" and "buy". "Sale" or "sell" includes "contract to sell", "lease", "contract to lease", "license", and "contract to license". "Seller" includes the equivalent terms of "sale" and "sell".
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.