HRS §490:1-301

Which state's law applies to your transaction

This section lets parties in a transaction choose which state's or nation's law will govern their deal, as long as the transaction has a reasonable connection to that place. If they don't choose, the Uniform Commercial Code applies when the transaction is appropriately connected to Hawaii. Some specific UCC rules override any agreement.

everyone

The statute, as written — Territorial applicability; parties' power to choose applicable law

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, when a transaction bears a reasonable relation to this State and also to another state or nation, the parties may agree that the law either of this State or of such other state or nation shall govern their rights and duties. (b) In the absence of an agreement effective under subsection (a), and except as provided in subsection (c), the Uniform Commercial Code applies to transactions bearing an appropriate relation to this State. (c) If one of the following provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code specifies the applicable law, that provision shall govern and a contrary agreement shall be effective only to the extent permitted by the law so specified: (1) Section 490:2-402; (2) Sections 490:2A-105 and 490:2A-106; (3) Section 490:4-102; (4) Section 490:4A-507; (5) Section 490:5-116; (6) Section 490:8-110; (7) Sections 490:9-301 through 490:9-307; and (8) Section 490:12-107.

Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§490:2-402 When a seller's creditors can take goods the buyer already bought

§490:4-102 When this law applies

§490:5-116 Which law and court apply to letters of credit

§490:8-110 Which state's law applies to securities and accounts

§490:9-301 Which state's law controls your security interest

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