HI · Strict liability
Hawaii dog bite law
Hawaii imposes strict liability on people who own or harbor an animal that injures someone, with trespass and provocation exceptions.
- Liability
- Strict liability
- Statute
- Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 663-9, 663-9.1
- Deadline to file
- 2 years · Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-7
- Bites only?
- Injuries more broadly
Two years. Harborers — the person who kept the dog — can be the defendant when the owner is off-island.
Exceptions insurers will mention
Trespassing; provocation. Applies to owners and harborers.
Compare the national split in strict liability vs one-bite, and confirm your clock on statute of limitations.
Similar liability rules
This page is general information, not legal advice, and is not a substitute for a lawyer licensed in your state. Statutes change. Confirm the current rule and your deadline with counsel before you rely on a date.