Hawaii Revised Statutes

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 21-15 (2026)

  Penalties

✓ current as of July 2026
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     §21-15  Penalties.  (a)  A person guilty of contempt under this chapter shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than one year or both.

     (b)  If any investigating committee fails in any material respect to comply with the requirements of this chapter, any person subject to a subpoena or a subpoena duces tecum who is injured by the failure shall be relieved of any requirement to attend the hearing for which the subpoena was issued or, if present, to testify or produce evidence therein; and the failure shall be a complete defense in any proceeding against the person for contempt or other punishment.

     (c)  Any person other than the witness concerned or the witness' counsel who violates subsection 21-12(g) or (h) shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.  The attorney general, on the attorney general's own motion or on the application of any person claiming to have been injured or prejudiced by an unauthorized disclosure may institute proceedings for trial of the issue and imposition of the penalties provided herein.  Nothing in this subsection shall limit any power which the legislature or either house thereof may have to discipline a member or employee or to impose a penalty in the absence of action by a prosecuting officer or court. [L 1969, c 211, pt of §1; gen ch 1985]

 

Cross References

 

  Classification of offense and authorized punishment, see §§701-107, 706-640, 663.

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 1 case, 2012–2012 · leading case: State v. Gonzalez., 288 P.3d 788 (Haw. 2012).
State v. Gonzalez., 288 P.3d 788 (Haw. 2012). · cites it 4× “…strict liability offenses. See, e.g., HRS § 6E-10 (2011) 14 *322 (construction on privately owned historic property), HRS § 21-15(c) (2011), 15 and HRS §§ 21-12(g), (h) (2011), 16 (violations of legislative confidentiality), HRS § 46-45 (2011) 17 (preventing county employees…”
— Haw. Rev. Stat. § 21-15(c) — 1 case
State v. Gonzalez., 288 P.3d 788 (Haw. 2012). “…strict liability offenses. See, e.g., HRS § 6E-10 (2011) 14 *322 (construction on privately owned historic property), HRS § 21-15(c) (2011), 15 and HRS §§ 21-12(g), (h) (2011), 16 (violations of legislative confidentiality), HRS § 46-45 (2011) 17 (preventing county employees…”
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