HCC §1-2
How to read and understand this code
Read the official text at hawaiicounty.gov ↗This section explains the basic rules for reading the County Code. It says to use common meanings of words, but special legal terms keep their legal meanings. It also covers how to count days and how words apply to different people and times.
everyone
The ordinance, as written (Hawaiʻi County) — Rules of construction
A copy, taken August 21, 2026. The version published by Hawaiʻi County is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
(a) In the construction of this Code, the following rules shall be observed unless it is apparent from the context that a different construction is intended: (1) All words and phrases shall be construed and understood according to the common and approved usage of the language; but technical words and phrases and such others as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in the law shall be construed and understood according to such peculiar and appropriate meaning. (2) Every word in this Code shall extend to and be applied to all genders; and every word importing the singular number only shall extend to and be applied to several persons or things as well as to one person or thing; and every word in the plural number shall include the singular number, and every word in the singular number shall include the plural number. (3) Every word used in the present tense shall include the future. (4) When any provision of this Code requires an act to be done, which may by law as well be done by a subordinate officer as by the superior officer, such requirement shall be construed to include all such acts when done by an authorized subordinate officer. (5) The time within which an act is to be done as provided in any provision of this Code or in any order issued pursuant to any provision of this Code, when expressed in days, shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last, unless the last day is a Sunday or holiday, in which case it is also excluded. When so provided by the rules of court, the last day shall also be excluded if it is a Saturday. 1-2
Published by the County of Hawaiʻi Office of the County Clerk.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.