Hawaii Revised Statutes

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 501-1 (2026)

Court; jurisdiction; proceedings; location; rules, practice, etc

✓ current as of July 2026

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PART I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Note

Sections 501-1 to 501-248 designated as Part I by L 2009, c 120, §3.

LAND COURT; PERSONNEL

§501-1 Court; jurisdiction; proceedings; location; rules, practice, etc. A court is established, called the land court, which shall have exclusive original jurisdiction of all applications for the registration of title to land and easements or rights in land held and possessed in fee simple within the State, with power to hear and determine all questions arising upon such applications, and also have jurisdiction over such other questions as may come before it under this chapter, subject to the rights of appeal under this chapter. The proceedings upon the applications shall be proceedings in rem against the land, and the decrees shall operate directly on the land and vest and establish title thereto.

The court shall hold its sittings in Honolulu, but may adjourn from time to time to such other places as the public convenience may require.

The court shall have jurisdiction throughout the State, and shall always be open, except on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays established by law.

It is a court of record, and shall cause to be made a seal, and to be sealed therewith all orders, process, and papers made by or proceeding from the court and requiring a seal. All notices, orders, and process of the court may run into any judicial circuit and be returnable as the court may direct.

The procedure shall conform as near as may be to the practice in the circuit courts, but subject to the express provisions of this chapter and to general laws and rules of court. Forms prescribed by the court before taking effect shall be approved by the supreme court.

Upon demand for jury trial, issues shall be framed therefor by the circuit judge to whom the case has been assigned. No other issues shall be presented to the jury, and a special verdict shall be rendered.

In this chapter, except where the context requires a different construction, the word "court" or "judge" means the land court, the administrative judge of the circuit court of the first circuit, civil division, or the circuit judge to whom a land court matter is assigned pursuant to section 501-2. [L 1903, c 56, §2; am L 1913, c 21, §1; am L 1921, c 208, §1; RL 1925, §3191; RL 1935, §5000; RL 1945, §12600; RL 1955, §342-1; HRS §501-1; am L 1972, c 91, §1(a), (b); am L 1984, c 102, §3]

Cross References

Conveyance tax, see chapter 247.

Rules of Court

Generally, see Rules of the Land Court.

Case Notes

Decree is conclusive. 402 F. Supp. 95 (1975).

Land court is tribunal separate and distinct from circuit court. 20 H. 699, 701 (1911); 34 H. 10, 11 (1936). Is court of limited jurisdiction deriving all its powers from statutes relating to it. 24 H. 298, 308 (1918), modified on another point, 25 H. 561 (1920). Cannot register title in favor of one other than applicant, since land court can exercise no power not found in the statutes. 24 H. 298, 308 (1918), modified on another point, 25 H. 561 (1920); 35 H. 254 (1939); see 37 H. 74, 95 (1945), aff'd 158 F.2d 122 (1946).

Equity procedure, applicability of, see 21 H. 175, 178 (1912).

Statutes control, not common law doctrine. 33 H. 343, 346 (1935).

Land court had no jurisdiction over claims for cancellation or rescission of agreement of sale, which are breach of contract actions. 68 H. 334, 713 P.2d 426 (1986).

Regardless of whether the land court enjoys exclusive jurisdiction over amendments or alterations to a certificate of title, circuit court had concurrent jurisdiction under this section to determine matters regarding title to land court property. 130 H. 387 (App.), 311 P.3d 710 (2013).

Cited: 529 F. Supp. 2d 1206 (2007); 20 H. 355, 356 (1911); 34 H. 93, 98 (1937); 35 H. 816, 822 (1941); 79 H. 56 (App.), 897 P.2d 983 (1995).

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 16 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1975–2023 · leading case: Knauer v. Foote, 63 P.3d 389 (Haw. 2003).

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Knauer v. Foote, 63 P.3d 389 (Haw. 2003). · cites it 56× “"Laws in pari materia, or upon the same subject matter, shall be construed with reference to each other. What is clear in one statute may be called in aid to explain what is doubtful in another.”

The Bank of New York Mellon v. R. Onaga, Inc., 400 P.3d 559 (Haw. 2017). · cites it 2× “” HRS § 501-1 (1993). The 1903 legislative history of HRS chapter 501 is sparse.”

Childs v. Harada, 311 P.3d 710 (Haw. App. 2013). · cites it 10× “e exclusive original jurisdiction of all applications for the registration of title to land and easements or rights in land held and possessed in fee simple within the State, with power to hear and determine all questions arising upon such applications, and also have…”

In Re the Trs. Under the Will & of the Est. of Damon, 689 P.2d 204 (Haw. App. 1984). · cites it 8× “Reed’s timely appeal followed. II. LAND COURT’S JURISDICTION Both James and Reed contend that the land court is a court of limited jurisdiction — limited to “proceedings in rem against the land.”

Aames Funding Corp. v. Mores, 110 P.3d 1042 (Haw. 2005). · cites it 2× “” HRS § 501-1 (1993). The 1903 legislative history of HRS chapter 501 is sparse.”

Lee v. Corregedore, 925 P.2d 324 (Haw. 1996). · cites it 2× “Bowman, Hawai`i Rules of Evidence Manual § 501-1, at 146 (1990) (quoting Sen. Stand.”

In Re Matter of Rice, 713 P.2d 426 (Haw. 1986). · cites it 3× “1 HRS § 501-1 in relevant part reads: A court is established, called the land court, which shall have exclusive original jurisdiction of all applications for the registration of title to land and easements or rights in land held and possessed in fee simple within the State, with…”

In Re Will Est. of Campbell, 662 P.2d 206 (Haw. 1983). · cites it 4× “56; HRS §§ 501-1 to -221. It remains “[a] system for registration of land under which, upon the landowner’s application, the court may, after appropriate proceedings, direct the issuance of a certificate of title.”

GGS (HI), Inc. v. New York Diamond, Inc., 944 P.2d 1341 (Haw. App. 1997). · cites it 2× “HRS § 501-1 (1993) states, in pertinent part: A court is established, called the land court, which shall have exclusive original jurisdiction of all applications for the registration of title to land and easements or rights in land held and possessed in fee simple within the…”

Valvanis v. Milgroom, 529 F. Supp. 2d 1206 (D. Haw. 2007). · cites it 3× “It appears that the court, based on the language of HRS § 501-1, is without jurisdiction to rule on Martl’s Motion to Expunge at it relates to the NAC.”

Sotomura v. Cnty. of Hawaii, 460 F. Supp. 473 (D. Haw. 1978). · cites it 4× “Haw.Rev. Stat. § 501-1 (Ex. P41). A decree of registration conclusively quiets title, subject only to certain statutory exceptions not applicable here.”

Sotomura v. Cnty. of Hawaii, 402 F. Supp. 95 (D. Haw. 1975). “Section 501-1, H.R.S. These decrees are “conclusive upon and against all persons, including the State.”

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