Hiring a Lemon Law Lawyer in Hawaii
The Hawaii lemon law for new cars, the rules for used cars, where to file a complaint, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Hawaii: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Hawai'i requires the scope, fee basis or rate and expenses to be communicated in writing (except for regularly represented clients or matters costing $250 or less), and fee agreements may not call any fee non-refundable or earned on receipt. A contingent fee agreement must be in a writing signed by the client stating how the fee is figured, including percentages on settlement, trial or appeal, which expenses are deducted and whether before or after the fee is calculated, and clearly telling the client which expenses they owe regardless of outcome; at the end the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and the client's share. Under Rule 1.5(e), contingent fees are banned for criminal defendants and for domestic relations fees contingent on a divorce or the amount of alimony, support or property settlement. |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | Fee disputes are usually not handled by the lawyer discipline system unless a fee appears clearly unreasonable; they are referred to the Hawai'i State Bar Association's voluntary Fee Dispute Program, which is limited in scope and jurisdiction. Contact the program liaison at 808-792-7350 to see whether a dispute qualifies; forms come from the liaison. Mailing address: HSBA Fee Dispute Program, 1100 Alakea Street, Ste. 1000, Honolulu, HI 96813. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | The Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection, created by the Hawai'i Supreme Court in 1981 and funded by an annual attorney fee, is a last resort for clients who lost money, property or other value through a Hawai'i lawyer's dishonest conduct (such as embezzlement, refusing to refund unearned fees, or borrowing with no intent or ability to repay). The lawyer generally must be deceased, bankrupt, incompetent, disbarred, suspended or resigned, convicted, gone from Hawai'i, or subject to a judgment for dishonest conduct. Negligence, malpractice and fee or service-quality disputes are not covered. Limits: up to $100,000 per claimant or $300,000 per attorney. The Judiciary page says claims must be filed within two years of the loss. Five Supreme Court-appointed trustees decide claims with help from ODC. |
Hawaii rules to know first
| Lemon law for new cars | Hawaii's lemon law covers motor vehicles used mainly for personal, family or household purposes, including motorcycles (not motor scooters or mopeds), demonstrators, and certain vehicles also used for business; it does not cover vehicles over 10,000 pounds. The "lemon law rights period" is the manufacturer's warranty term, two years from delivery, or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. A reasonable number of repair attempts is presumed if, in that period, the same defect was examined or repaired at least three times and still exists, a defect likely to cause death or serious injury was examined or repaired at least once and still exists, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs 30 or more business days. The presumption applies only if the manufacturer received the consumer's written report and a reasonable chance to repair. If the defect cannot be fixed, the manufacturer must provide a replacement vehicle or take it back and refund the full purchase price and collateral and incidental charges, minus a reasonable offset for use. |
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| Used cars | A dealer may not sell a used motor vehicle to a consumer without a written warranty covering the full cost of parts and labor to repair defects in covered parts (engine, transmission, drive axle, brakes, radiator, steering, and alternator, generator, starter and ignition) that impair safety or use. The minimum warranty is 90 days or 5,000 miles for vehicles with under 25,000 miles; 60 days or 3,000 miles for 25,000 to under 50,000 miles; and 30 days or 1,000 miles for 50,000 to 75,000 miles, whichever comes first. The statute lists exclusions, such as damage from lack of maintenance, collisions, racing or towing. Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 481J-2 |
| How to make a lemon law claim | 1) Written notice: the consumer reports the defect in writing to the manufacturer, its agent, distributor or authorized dealer during the lemon law rights period. The dealer must give the buyer, at purchase, a written notice of the state-certified arbitration program that says written notice to the manufacturer is required before a refund or replacement and gives the address to send it to; the consumer is required to notify the manufacturer only if that notice was received. The repair presumption does not apply unless the manufacturer received a written report of the defect and had a reasonable chance to fix it. 2) Final repair attempt: no separate final-repair step is described beyond that chance to repair. 3) Arbitration: the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs runs a state-certified arbitration program and may contract with an independent arbitration organization. The consumer pays a $50 filing fee and the manufacturer $200; a final decision for the consumer must include return of the $50. A decision is due within 45 days after the program is invoked. If the consumer agrees to binding arbitration, all parties are bound. If the consumer chooses nonbinding arbitration, either party may demand a new trial in writing within 30 calendar days after the award is served; otherwise the award becomes binding. 4) Deadline: any action under the lemon law section must be started within one year after the lemon law rights period ends. Arbitration program, fees and binding/nonbinding rules: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol11_Ch0476-0490/HRS0481I/HRS_0481I-0004.htm. If the party demanding a new trial does not improve its position by at least 25%, the court orders it to pay the other side's reasonable trial costs and attorney's fees. |
| Where to file a consumer complaint | To file a consumer complaint about a merchant, business or licensed professional in Hawaii, call the DCCA Consumer Resource Center at 1-844-808-DCCA (3222). The Office of Consumer Protection investigates alleged violations of consumer protection laws and takes legal action against unfair or deceptive practices; it handles complaints about advertising, door-to-door sales, gift certificates, refunds and exchanges, and more. |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Hawaii State Bar Association's Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) gives you the names and contact information of panel attorneys who handle your type of matter. "The referrals are free"; you contact the referred attorney to learn whether they can help and to arrange their terms and costs. Phone (808) 537-9140, email LRIS@hsba.org, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Hawai'i State Bar Association (HSBA) Member Directory lists every lawyer licensed to practice law in Hawai'i. Search by first and last name; each profile shows basic contact information and whether the attorney can actively practice law in Hawai'i. The HSBA notes that using "Esq." does not mean a person is licensed. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Complaints about Hawai'i lawyers go to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) of the Disciplinary Board of the Hawai'i Supreme Court. Use ODC's optional sample form or a letter (one per lawyer), sign it, and mail or deliver the original to ODC, 201 Merchant Street, Suite 1600, Honolulu, HI 96813; fax and email are not accepted. Include the lawyer's name, the facts and dates, and any case number; send copies, not originals, of documents. Investigations are free to the complaining party and there is no filing deadline, though filing early is advised. Outcomes include dismissal, a private informal admonition or formal charges; serious sanctions are decided by the Hawai'i Supreme Court. The Disciplinary Board posts lists of disciplined and inactive attorneys. ODC: (808) 521-4591 or toll-free (888) 206-5622. Disciplined and inactive attorneys: https://dbhawaii.org/disciplined-hawaii-attorneys/ |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | For people who cannot afford a lawyer, the Hawaii Judiciary lists the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii (the state's LSC-funded legal aid organization), which helps with divorce, public benefits, landlord-tenant and consumer problems: Oahu (808) 536-4302, Neighbor Islands toll-free 1-800-499-4302. Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaii helps with landlord-tenant, wills, domestic violence, divorce and other family matters: Oahu (808) 528-7046, Neighbor Islands toll-free 1-800-839-5200. The Judiciary also runs Self-Help Centers and Access to Justice Rooms. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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All legal help in Hawaii · Background guide
Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.