HRS §665-1
How the state starts an escheat case
When property legally passes to the State because no owner is found, the attorney general must file a court case in Honolulu. The court will notify anyone in possession and publish a notice in a newspaper. If the judge agrees with the facts, the court orders the property to become the State's.
courtslandownersstate agencies
The statute, as written — Information, hearing, decree
In all cases where real property escheats by law to the State, the attorney general shall file an information in the circuit court of the first circuit, setting forth the facts upon which the claim of the State to the escheat is based. Summons shall be issued as in other actions. The attorney general shall cause the summons to be served upon any person in possession of the property, and shall also cause a copy thereof to be published once a month for three months in a newspaper of general circulation in the State. Upon the hearing of the matter, if the court finds the facts averred in the information substantiated by proof and sufficient in law, it shall make and cause to be entered a decree declaring the property an escheat to the State.
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