← Back to search

HRS §658F-6

How to ask a court to recognize a foreign judgment

This section explains the two ways to ask a Hawaii court to recognize a judgment from another country. You can start a new lawsuit just for that, or raise it in an existing case by filing a counterclaim, cross-claim, or affirmative defense.

courtscreditorsdebtors

The statute, as written — Procedure for recognition of foreign-country judgment

(a) If recognition of a foreign-country judgment is sought as an original matter, the issue of recognition shall be raised by filing an action seeking recognition of the foreign-country judgment. (b) If recognition of a foreign-country judgment is sought in a pending action, the issue of recognition may be raised by counterclaim, cross-claim, or affirmative defense.
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.