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Hawaii Revised Statutes

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-703 (2026)

  Negligent homicide in the second degree

✓ current as of July 2026
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     §707-703  Negligent homicide in the second degree.  (1)  A person commits the offense of negligent homicide in the second degree if that person causes the death of:

     (a)  Another person by the operation of a vehicle in a negligent manner; or

     (b)  A vulnerable user by the operation of a vehicle in a manner that constitutes simple negligence as defined in section 707-704(2).

     (2)  Negligent homicide in the second degree is a class C felony. [L 1972, c 9, pt of §1; am L 1988, c 292, §2; am L 2012, c 316, §3]

 

Case Notes

 

  Section does not preclude charging defendant on one count for each victim injured fatally.  62 H. 389, 615 P.2d 748 (1980).

 

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 17 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1980–2023 · leading case: State v. Blyenburg., 520 P.3d 264 (Haw. 2022).
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State v. Blyenburg., 520 P.3d 264 (Haw. 2022). · cites it 12× “Count 2 is sufficient because “simple negligence” is a state of mind, not an element of HRS § 707-703. The State must 7 *** FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST’S HAWAI‘I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER *** identify the requisite states of mind for each crime it charges.”
State v. Johnson, 653 P.2d 428 (Haw. App. 1982). · cites it 8× “The Commentary to HRS §§ 707-703 and 704 discusses the distinction between the types of negligence required for the two degrees of negligent homicide.”
State v. Rivera, 102 P.3d 1044 (Haw. 2004). · cites it 2× “(1) Notwithstanding section 706-669 and any other law to the contrary, any person convicted of murder in the second degree, any class A felony, any class B felony, or any of the following class C felonies: section 188-23 relating to possession or use of explosives,…”
State v. Tabigne, 966 P.2d 608 (Haw. 1998). · cites it 6× “The commentary on HRS §§ 707-703 and 707-704 notes that, “[i]n adopting the Code in 1972, the Legislature basically retained much of the prior Hawaii law relating to negligent homicide.”
State v. Kreps, 661 P.2d 711 (Haw. App. 1983). · cites it 3× “On December 23, 1980, the Oahu Grand Jury indicted Kreps for the offenses of Negligent Homicide in the First Degree, HRS § 707-703 (1976), and Driving Without a License, HRS § 286-102 (1976, as amended).”
State v. Oshiro, 746 P.2d 568 (Haw. 1987). · cites it 2× “” In 1972, the legislature enacted HRS § 707-703 (it remains unchanged to this day) wherein “negligence” was substituted for “gross negligence” as the requisite state of mind for felony negligent homicide: § 707-703 Negligent homicide in the first degree.”
State v. DeMello., 361 P.3d 420 (Haw. 2015). “5); (5) Negligent homicide in the second degree (section 707-703); (6) Negligent injury in the first degree (section 707-705); (7) Negligent injury in the second degree (section 707-706); (8) Assault in the first degree (section 707-710); (9) Assault in the second degree…”
In the Interest of Doe, 950 P.2d 701 (Haw. App. 1997). · cites it 3× “The third Petition alleged Negligent Homicide in the First Degree (Negligent Homicide), HRS § 707-703 (1993) 1 . Arraignment and plea were scheduled in the family court on June 5, 1991, but Doe did not appear.”
State v. Auld., 361 P.3d 471 (Haw. 2015). “prohibited weapons; section 134-17 only as it relates to providing false information or evidence to obtain a permit under section 134-9; section 188-23 relating to possession or use of explosives, electrofishing devices, and poisonous substances in state waters; section…”
Secundino Barcelo Cocio v. Lloyd Bramlett, Superintendent, Arizona State Prison, Florence, 872 F.2d 889 (9th Cir. 1989). “Haw.Rev.Stat. §§ 707-703, 706-660 (1985).”
State v. Sequeira, 995 P.2d 335 (Haw. App. 2000). “5); (5) Negligent homicide in the second degree (section 707-703); (6) Negligent injury in the first degree (section 707-705); (7) Negligent injury in the second degree (section 707-706); (8) Assault in the first degree (section 707-710); (9) Assault in the second degree…”
State v. Smythe, 811 P.2d 1100 (Haw. 1991). · cites it 2× “For each death he was indicted for manslaughter (HRS § 707-702(1 )(a)) (Counts I and II), and negligent homicide in the first degree (HRS § 707-703) (Counts III and IV). He was also indicted for driving under the influence under HRS § 291-4(a)(l) *218 and (2) (Counts V and VI).”
Show all 17 citing cases →
— Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-703(1) — 5 cases
State v. Blyenburg., 520 P.3d 264 (Haw. 2022). “Count 2 is sufficient because “simple negligence” is a state of mind, not an element of HRS § 707-703. The State must 7 *** FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST’S HAWAI‘I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER *** identify the requisite states of mind for each crime it charges.”
State v. Kreps, 661 P.2d 711 (Haw. App. 1983). “On December 23, 1980, the Oahu Grand Jury indicted Kreps for the offenses of Negligent Homicide in the First Degree, HRS § 707-703 (1976), and Driving Without a License, HRS § 286-102 (1976, as amended).”
State v. Johnson, 653 P.2d 428 (Haw. App. 1982). “The Commentary to HRS §§ 707-703 and 704 discusses the distinction between the types of negligence required for the two degrees of negligent homicide.”
State v. Thompson, 504 P.3d 1054 (Haw. App. 2022).
State v. Abarcar, 503 P.3d 970 (Haw. App. 2022).
— Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-703(1)(a) — 1 case
State v. Thompson, 504 P.3d 1054 (Haw. App. 2022).
— Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-703(1)(b) — 2 cases
State v. Blyenburg., 520 P.3d 264 (Haw. 2022). “Count 2 is sufficient because “simple negligence” is a state of mind, not an element of HRS § 707-703. The State must 7 *** FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST’S HAWAI‘I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER *** identify the requisite states of mind for each crime it charges.”
State v. Blyenburg, 499 P.3d 419 (Haw. App. 2021).
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