HRS §657-4

Time limit for suing over defamatory statements

Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗

This section sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit for libel or slander. You must start your case within two years after the harmful statement was made. If you miss this deadline, you cannot sue.

everyone

The statute, as written — Two years; libel and slander

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.

All actions for libel or slander shall be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued, and not after. [CC 1859, §1037; am imp L 1907, c 113, §1; am L 1913, c 19, §1; RL 1925, §2642; RL 1935, §3913; RL 1945, §10424; RL 1955, §241-4; am L 1965, c 139, §2; HRS §657-4]

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.