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HRS §634-35

When Hawaii courts can hear a case against you

This law says that if you do certain things in Hawaii, you agree to let Hawaii courts hear lawsuits against you about those things. This applies even if you do not live in Hawaii. It also explains how you can be given court papers if you cannot be found in the state.

everyone

The statute, as written — Acts submitting to jurisdiction

(a) Any person, whether or not a citizen or resident of this State, who in person or through an agent does any of the acts hereinafter enumerated, thereby submits such person, and, if an individual, the person's personal representative, to the jurisdiction of the courts of this State as to any cause of action arising from the doing of any of the acts: (1) The transaction of any business within this State; (2) The commission of a tortious act within this State; (3) The ownership, use, or possession of any real estate situated in this State; (4) Contracting to insure any person, property, or risk located within this State at the time of contracting. (b) Service of process upon any person who is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this State, as provided in this section, may be made as provided by section 634-36, if the person cannot be found in the State, with the same force and effect as though summons had been personally served within this State. (c) Only causes of action arising from acts enumerated herein may be asserted against a defendant in an action in which jurisdiction over the defendant is based upon this section. (d) Nothing herein contained limits or affects the right to serve any process in any other manner now or hereafter provided by law.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

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.