Hawaii Case Commentaries

Clarifying Insurer’s Duty to Defend Additional Insureds: First Insurance v. State of Hawaii

Date: Jun 8, 1983

Clarifying Insurer’s Duty to Defend Additional Insureds: First Insurance Company of Hawaii v. State of Hawaii Introduction The case of First Insurance Company of Hawaii, Inc. v. State of Hawaii...

Recognition of the Public Policy Exception to At-Will Employment in Parnar v. Americana Hotels

Date: Oct 29, 1982

Recognition of the Public Policy Exception to At-Will Employment in Parnar v. Americana Hotels Introduction Parnar v. Americana Hotels, Inc. is a landmark case decided by the Supreme Court of Hawaii...

Establishing Judicial Immunity for Probation Officers and Limiting Firearm Seller Liability – Hulsman v. Hemmeter Development Corp.

Date: Jul 1, 1982

Establishing Judicial Immunity for Probation Officers and Limiting Firearm Seller Liability – Hulsman v. Hemmeter Development Corp. Introduction The case of Ruth O. Hulsman v. Hemmeter Development...

Double Jeopardy Implications in State v. Moriwake: Upholding Judicial Discretion in Mistrial Situations

Date: Jul 1, 1982

Double Jeopardy Implications in State of Hawaii v. Moriwake: Upholding Judicial Discretion in Mistrial Situations Introduction State of Hawaii v. Gilbert Masaru Moriwake is a landmark case...

Towse v. State of Hawaii: Establishing the 'Reasonable Man' Standard in Qualified Defamation Privilege for Government Officials

Date: Jun 19, 1982

Towse v. State of Hawaii: Establishing the 'Reasonable Man' Standard in Qualified Defamation Privilege for Government Officials Introduction The case of Edward A. Towse, et al.,...

Application of Rule 48(b) in Speedy Trial: State of Hawaii v. Estencion

Date: Apr 1, 1981

Application of Rule 48(b) in Speedy Trial: State of Hawaii v. Estencion Introduction In State of Hawaii v. Aaron Ross Estencion (63 Haw. 264), the Supreme Court of Hawaii addressed critical issues...

Mootness Doctrine Clarified in Wong v. University of Hawaii

Date: Aug 22, 1980

Mootness Doctrine Clarified in Wong v. University of Hawaii Introduction Creighton Wong v. Board of Regents, University of Hawaii is a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of Hawaii rendered on...

Effective Assistance of Counsel: Analyzing State v. James F. Antone

Date: Jul 18, 1980

Effective Assistance of Counsel: Analyzing State v. James F. Antone Introduction The State of Hawaii v. James F. Antone, 62 Haw. 346 (1980), is a pivotal case in Hawaii's legal history concerning the...

Fraud in Rental Agreements: The Landmark Case of Lawrence S.C. Kang v. W. Dewey Harrington

Date: Nov 14, 1978

Fraud in Rental Agreements: The Landmark Case of Lawrence S.C. Kang v. W. Dewey Harrington Introduction The case Lawrence S.C. Kang v. W. Dewey Harrington, decided by the Supreme Court of Hawaii on...

Rational Basis Upholds HRS § 12-6(4): Indigent Candidates’ Petition Requirements for Ballot Access

Date: Aug 17, 1978

Rational Basis Upholds HRS § 12-6(4): Indigent Candidates’ Petition Requirements for Ballot Access Introduction The case of Floyd Edward Nachtwey v. The Honorable Nelson K. Doi addresses the...

[Comprehensive Commentary] Food Pantry Ltd. v. Waikiki Business Plaza, Inc. - Establishing Boundaries on Lessor’s Consent in Lease Assignments

Date: Feb 11, 1978

Food Pantry Ltd. v. Waikiki Business Plaza, Inc.: Defining Lessor’s Rights in Lease Assignments Introduction In Food Pantry Ltd. v. Waikiki Business Plaza, Inc., the Supreme Court of Hawaii addressed...

Enforceability of Limitation of Liability Clauses: Insights from Earl M. Jorgensen Co. v. Mark Construction, Inc.

Date: Oct 1, 1975

Enforceability of Limitation of Liability Clauses: Insights from Earl M. Jorgensen Co. v. Mark Construction, Inc. Introduction The case of Earl M. Jorgensen Co. v. Mark Construction, Inc., decided by...

Probable Cause Conclusively Established by Conviction in Malicious Prosecution and False Imprisonment: House v. Ane

Date: Jul 10, 1975

Probable Cause Conclusively Established by Conviction in Malicious Prosecution and False Imprisonment: House v. Ane Introduction House v. Ane, 56 Haw. 383 (1975) is a pivotal case adjudicated by the...

Absence of Publication in Defamation: Runnel v. Okamoto Establishes Key Precedent

Date: Aug 30, 1974

Absence of Publication in Defamation: Runnel v. Okamoto Establishes Key Precedent Introduction Elroy Runnel v. Lily M. Okamoto, et al. is a landmark defamation case adjudicated by the Supreme Court...

Defining 'Contractor' Under Hawaii General Excise Tax: Exclusion of Marine Repair Businesses

Date: Jul 13, 1974

Defining 'Contractor' Under Hawaii General Excise Tax: Exclusion of Marine Repair Businesses Introduction The case of Pacific Marine Supply Co., Ltd. v. Supreme Court of Hawaii addresses the...

Limited Liability for Public Officials: Medeiros v. Kondo Establishes New Precedent in Hawaii

Date: May 31, 1974

Limited Liability for Public Officials: Medeiros v. Kondo Establishes New Precedent in Hawaii Introduction The landmark case Edward Medeiros v. Ralph Kondo, adjudicated by the Supreme Court of Hawaii...

Recognition of Negligently Inflicted Mental Distress as an Independent Tort in Hawaii: Leong v. Takasaki

Date: Mar 29, 1974

Recognition of Negligently Inflicted Mental Distress as an Independent Tort in Hawaii: Leong v. Takasaki Introduction The case of Troy S. Leong, a minor, by his next friend, Gail M. Petagno, versus...

Enhanced Protections for Arrestees: Hawaii’s Narrow Interpretation of Warrantless Searches

Date: Mar 19, 1974

Enhanced Protections for Arrestees: Hawaii’s Narrow Interpretation of Warrantless Searches Introduction The case of State of Hawaii v. Johnette Kapulani Kaluna, also known as Lynn Brewer, adjudicated...

Hawaii Supreme Court's Liberal Interpretation of Notice of Claim Statutes in Oakley v. County of Hawaii

Date: Jan 18, 1973

Hawaii Supreme Court's Liberal Interpretation of Notice of Claim Statutes in Oakley v. County of Hawaii Introduction The case of George Oakley, by and through his Guardian, Patricia Oakley, versus...

Protecting Defendant's Rights: Hawaii Supreme Court Limits Use of Prior Convictions and Ensures Miranda Compliance

Date: Dec 30, 1971

Protecting Defendant's Rights: Hawaii Supreme Court Limits Use of Prior Convictions and Ensures Miranda Compliance Introduction The case of STATE OF HAWAII v. NORMAN SANTIAGO, decided by the Supreme...