Sue Deadlines

All states

Statute of limitations in Hawaii

2 yearsPersonal injury deadline

2 years (HRS 657-7)1

The details

Personal injury
2 years after the cause of action accrued for damage or injury to persons or property (HRS 657-7).1
Property damage
2 years for damage or injury to property (HRS 657-7). 6 years for taking or detaining any goods or chattels (HRS 657-1(3)).12
Written contract
6 years for recovery of any debt founded upon any contract, obligation or liability, with exceptions (HRS 657-1(1)).2
Oral contract
6 years for recovery of any debt founded upon any contract, obligation or liability, with exceptions (HRS 657-1(1)).2
Medical malpractice
2 years after the injury is or should have been discovered, but no more than 6 years after the act or omission (HRS 657-7.3).4
Defamation
2 years after the cause of action accrued for libel or slander (HRS 657-4).3
Debt collection (open account)
6 years for recovery of any debt founded upon any contract, obligation or liability, with exceptions (HRS 657-1(1)).2

The sources we read do not say: fraud, claims against the state government (notice deadline).

Deadlines usually run from the date of the harm or its discovery, and many exceptions apply. A lawyer can tell you how they apply to you.

Sources

  1. HRS 657-7 Damage to persons or property, Hawaii State Legislature, checked 2 November 2026
  2. HRS 657-1 Six years, Hawaii State Legislature, checked 2 November 2026
  3. HRS 657-4 Two years, libel and slander, Hawaii State Legislature, checked 2 November 2026
  4. HRS 657-7.3 Medical torts, limitation of actions, time, Hawaii State Legislature, checked 2 November 2026

Checked 2 November 2026. "Secondary" marks a source used only because the official page could not be read.