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HRS §508D-9

What counts as careful and honest in a disclosure statement

This section says sellers and their agents must prepare the disclosure statement honestly and carefully. If they do, buyers cannot sue them over it. Sellers do not have to hire experts, and the statement is only for the buyer and only accurate when made.

buyershome sellersreal estate agents

The statute, as written — Good faith and due care in preparing the disclosure statement

(a) A seller or the seller's agent shall prepare the disclosure statement in good faith and with due care. A buyer shall have no cause of action against a seller or seller's agent for, arising out of, or relating to the providing of a disclosure statement when the disclosure statement is prepared in good faith and with due care. For purposes of this section, "in good faith and with due care" includes honesty in fact in the investigation, research, and preparation of the disclosure statement and may include information on the following: (1) Facts based on only the seller's personal knowledge; (2) Facts provided to the seller by governmental agencies and departments; (3) Existing reports prepared for the seller by third-party consultants, including without limitation a: (A) Licensed engineer; (B) Land surveyor; (C) Geologist; (D) Wood-destroying insect control expert; or (E) Contractor, or other home inspection expert; dealing with matters within the scope of the professional's license or expertise for the purpose of the disclosure statement; and (4) Facts provided to the seller by a managing agent of a homeowner's association, including without limitation, a condominium, cooperative, or community association. Notwithstanding this subsection, a seller or seller's agent shall be under no obligation to engage the services of any person in the investigation, research, or preparation of the disclosure statement. The failure to engage the services of any such person for this purpose shall not be deemed an absence of good faith or due care by the seller or the seller's agent in the investigation, research, or preparation of the disclosure statement. The delivery to the buyer of reports or facts within the scope of paragraph (2), (3), or (4) after the date of the initial disclosure statement shall be considered an amendment of the disclosure statement. (b) The representations contained in the disclosure statement shall be construed to be made only to, and for the benefit of, the buyer and shall be deemed accurate only as to the time when made, except as otherwise provided in section 508D-13.
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.