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HRS §480-20

Who enforces Hawaii's consumer protection laws

This section says who is in charge of enforcing Hawaii's consumer protection laws. The attorney general handles criminal and civil cases. County attorneys must report suspected violations, and the consumer protection director can also enforce civil rules.

attorneyscountiesstate agencies

The statute, as written — Duty of the attorney general; duty of county attorney, etc

(a) The attorney general shall enforce the criminal and civil provisions of this chapter. The county attorney, or prosecuting attorney of any county shall investigate and report suspected violations of this chapter to the attorney general. (b) Whenever this chapter authorizes or requires the attorney general to commence any action or proceeding, including proceedings under section 480-18, the attorney general may require the county attorney, corporation counsel, or prosecuting attorney of any county, holding office in the circuit where the action or proceeding is to be commenced or maintained, to maintain the action or proceeding under the direction of the attorney general. (c) The director of the office of consumer protection shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the attorney general to enforce the civil provisions of this chapter with regard to violations of section 480-2.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§480-18 Attorney General's Investigation Powers

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.