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HRS §603-16

What happens if a judge does not show up

If a judge is absent from a scheduled trial or hearing, the court clerk must postpone the case until a judge can attend. Each postponement can be no longer than seven days unless the court orders otherwise.

courts

The statute, as written — Continuance of hearing or trial

If the judge of any circuit court, or any other circuit judge authorized to preside in the circuit, fails to attend any trial or hearing at the time appointed, a clerk thereof shall continue any case or matter then before the court for trial or hearing, from time to time, until the attendance of one of the circuit judges; but no such continuance shall be for a longer period than seven days, except as otherwise ordered by the court.
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.