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HRS §651-2

When a court can issue an attachment order

In a lawsuit over a contract, the person suing can ask to have the defendant's property held as security before the case ends. This is called attachment. It cannot be used against the government or when garnishment is already allowed.

courts

The statute, as written — Writ; issued when

The plaintiff, in any action upon a contract, express or implied, at the time of commencing the action, or at any time afterward before judgment, may have the property of the defendant, or that of any one or more of several defendants, which is not exempt from execution, attached in the manner hereinafter prescribed, as security for the satisfaction of any judgment that the plaintiff may recover, but no writ of attachment shall be issued: (1) Against the State, or any political municipal corporation, or subdivision thereof; or (2) In circumstances where garnishment is authorized under chapter 652.
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.