Credit Card Debt Statute of Limitations in Hawaii
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
6 years
from the date of default — the first missed payment (last activity/last payment) on the account, under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1.
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If you're researching credit card debt collection in Hawaii, the single most important number is 6 years. That's how long Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1 gives you to sue over unpaid credit card debt, counted from the date of default — the first missed payment (last activity/last payment) on the account. File even one day late and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Hawaii Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Debt | 6 years | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 431:10C-315(b) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-7.3 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | HRS § 663-3 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-7 |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | H.R.S. § 663-9 (strict liability); SOL: H.R.S. § 657-7 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-7 |
| Defamation | 2 yrs | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-4 |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1(1) |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1 |
When the Clock Starts
In Hawaii, the limitations period for credit card debt collection generally begins on the date of default — the first missed payment (last activity/last payment) on the account. Hawaii does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
Credit-card debt is a 'debt founded upon any contract, obligation, or liability' / open account under HRS § 657-1 (6 years) — the same six-year period covers open accounts, personal lines of credit and written contracts. Revival is allowed and NOT barred: a part payment or a written, signed acknowledgment/new promise restarts the clock (HRS § 657-1 and Hawaii acknowledgment case law) — Hawaii has no anti-revival ban.
Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1, official Hawaii statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Hawaii government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Hawaii Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 6 years | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1 |
| California | 4 yrs | Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 337(a) |
| Washington | 6 yrs | RCW 4.16.040(1)-(2) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to sue over unpaid credit card debt in Hawaii?
You have 6 years from the date of default — the first missed payment (last activity/last payment) on the account, under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1.
Can I still sue after 6 years in Hawaii?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
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Sources
- Official Hawaii State Legislature — HRS § 657-1, Six years
- Corroborating Justia — Hawaii Revised Statutes § 657-1 (Six years)
- Corroborating Hawaii Public Law — HRS § 657-1 Six years
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Hawaii attorney.