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HRS §663-1.2

When you can sue for damages beyond a broken contract

This law says you cannot sue someone in tort for breaking a contract unless their actions also broke a separate duty under tort law and went beyond just not following the contract. It limits when you can get extra damages like punitive damages.

everyone

The statute, as written — Tort liability for breach of contract; punitive damages

No person may recover damages, including punitive damages, in tort for a breach of a contract in the absence of conduct that: (1) Violated a duty that is independently recognized by principles of tort law; and (2) Transcended the breach of the contract.
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.