HRS §806-28
What the indictment must say about the crime
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗This section says an indictment (the formal charge) does not have to use legal labels like "feloniously" or "knowingly" unless those words are part of the crime's official definition. If they are, the indictment can use the statute's exact words or similar ones. It can also use different forms of the crime's name.
courts
The statute, as written — Characterization of the act
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.
The indictment need not allege that the offense was committed or the act done "feloniously", "unlawfully", "wilfully", "knowingly", "maliciously", "with force and arms", or otherwise except where such characterization is used in the statutory definition of the offense. Where the characterization is so used the indictment may employ the words of the statute or other words substantially of the same import. In alleging the transaction the indictment may use the nounal, adjectival, verbal, or adverbial form of the statutory name of the offense.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.