HRS §673-5
Who pays court costs and lawyer fees
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗In lawsuits under this chapter, if a judge decides a losing side's claim or defense was frivolous, that side must pay the winner's costs and lawyer fees. If no claim was frivolous, the judge may still order a winning plaintiff to be paid costs and fees, if fair.
courts
The statute, as written — Attorney's fees and costs
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.
(a) In any action under this chapter, the court shall, upon a specific finding that a non-prevailing party's claim or defense was frivolous, assess against such party and award to the prevailing party, and enter as part of its order or judgment, a reasonable sum for costs and expenses incurred, including reasonable attorney's fees. (b) In any action brought under this chapter in which there is no finding by the court that the claims pled were frivolous the court may, as it deems just, award to a prevailing plaintiff and enter as a part of its order or judgment, a reasonable sum for costs and expenses incurred, including reasonable attorney's fees.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.