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HRS §633-32

How evidence works in small claims court

In small claims court, the judge can run the trial in a way that is fair to both sides. The judge does not have to follow the usual evidence rules, except for rules about privileged communications, like lawyer-client secrets.

courts

The statute, as written — Evidence

In a case tried in the small claims division, the court shall conduct the trial in such manner as to do substantial justice between the parties according to the rules of substantive law, and is not bound by the rules of evidence, whether or not set out by statute, except provisions relating to privileged communications.
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.