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HRS §490:3-109

When a check or note is payable to bearer or to order

This section explains how to tell if a check or note is payable to whoever holds it (bearer) or to a specific person (order). It also says that endorsements can change who gets paid.

everyone

The statute, as written — Payable to bearer or to order

(a) A promise or order is "payable to bearer" if it: (1) States that it is payable to bearer or to the order of bearer or otherwise indicates that the person in possession of the promise or order is entitled to payment; (2) Does not state a payee; or (3) States that it is payable to or to the order of cash or otherwise indicates that it is not payable to an identified person. (b) A promise or order that is not payable to bearer is "payable to order" if it is payable (i) to the order of an identified person or (ii) to an identified person or order. A promise or order that is payable to order is payable to the identified person. (c) An instrument payable to bearer may become payable to an identified person if it is specially indorsed pursuant to section 490:3-205(a). An instrument payable to an identified person may become payable to bearer if it is indorsed in blank pursuant to section 490:3-205(b).
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§490:3-205 Special, blank, and anomalous signatures on payment papers

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