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HRS §572B-4.5

How civil union affects reciprocal beneficiary rights

If two people in a reciprocal beneficiary relationship enter a civil union, their existing rights and duties continue without a break, as long as they end the reciprocal relationship at the same time or within 90 days before. New rights from the civil union start on the day it is solemnized. Property held as tenancy by the entirety is covered by another law.

spouses

The statute, as written — Rights held by reciprocal beneficiaries who enter into a civil union

(a) If two reciprocal beneficiaries enter into a civil union with each other, the rights, benefits, protections, or responsibilities created by the reciprocal beneficiary relationship shall be continuous through the civil union and deemed to have accrued as of the first date these rights existed under the reciprocal beneficiary relationship; provided that the individuals terminated their reciprocal beneficiary relationship simultaneously with their entry into a civil union, or within the ninety days immediately preceding their entry into a civil union. (b) Any rights, benefits, protections, or responsibilities created by the solemnization of a civil union that were not included within a reciprocal beneficiary relationship shall be recognized as of the date the civil union was solemnized. (c) Property held in tenancy by the entirety shall be subject to section 509-3.
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.