HRS §634-34
Using a boat in Hawaii waters means you can be sued here
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗If you operate, navigate, use, or maintain a boat or other watercraft in Hawaii's navigable waters, you agree to be sued in Hawaii courts for accidents or damage claims involving that watercraft. This applies even if you are not a Hawaii resident. A summons served under this rule has the same effect as if you were personally served in Hawaii.
everyone
The statute, as written — Service on boat operators
A copy, taken August 20, 2026. The version published by the Legislature is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
[(a)] The operation, navigation, use, or maintenance by any person, whether a resident or nonresident of the State, of any boat, ship, barge, or other watercraft in the navigable waters of the State shall subject the person to the jurisdiction of the courts of this State in any action or proceeding against the person growing out of any accident, collision, or claim for damages in which the person and the boat, ship, barge, or other watercraft may be involved in the navigable waters. The operation, navigation, use, or maintenance is deemed a signification of the person's agreement that any summons against the person which is served is of the same legal force and validity as if served upon the person personally within this State, whether the person is a nonresident of this State or at the time a cause of action arises is a resident of this State but subsequently becomes a nonresident of this State. Service of the summons is to be made as provided by section 634-36, if the defendant cannot be found in the State. [(b)] This section shall not be construed as repealing or amending any other provision of law relating to the service of process nor as establishing an exclusive method of service of process in cases to which this section may apply.
Sections this one refers to
§634-36 How to deliver court papers to an out-of-state defendant
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.