HRS §665-3
Who can defend against the state in a property case
In certain property lawsuits, a person cannot defend against the state just by saying they possess the property. They must prove they have a legal document giving them title, or that they have held the property openly for at least twenty years and paid taxes on it for the last twelve years.
everyone
The statute, as written — Defenses
In such actions no person shall be allowed to defend against the State on the ground of being in possession of the property, unless the person proves that the person is in possession under color of title, or has been in adverse possession thereof for a period not less than twenty years and that the taxes upon the property have been paid by the person during the last twelve years of the period.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.