Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Hawaii
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: H.R.S. § 663-9 (strict liability); SOL: H.R.S. § 657-7 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from Date of bite/injury, under H.R.S. § 663-9 (strict liability); SOL: H.R.S. § 657-7.
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Hawaii law sets a hard deadline of 2 years to file a dog bite lawsuit. The controlling statute is H.R.S. § 663-9 (strict liability); SOL: H.R.S. § 657-7, and the clock generally starts on Date of bite/injury. Below: exactly when that clock starts, the exceptions that can pause it, and the traps that shorten it.
Hawaii Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Bite | 2 years | H.R.S. § 663-9 (strict liability); SOL: H.R.S. § 657-7 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 431:10C-315(b) |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1 |
| 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 |
| 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 dog bite injury claims generally begins on Date of bite/injury. 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
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- 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.
Hawaii imposes strict liability on dog owners and harborers regardless of prior knowledge of viciousness under H.R.S. § 663-9. The two-year personal injury SOL under § 657-7 applies; minority tolling available under § 657-13.
Source: H.R.S. § 663-9 (strict liability); SOL: H.R.S. § 657-7, 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 | 2 years | H.R.S. § 663-9 (strict liability); SOL: H.R.S. § 657-7 |
| California | 2 yrs | Cal. Civ. Code § 3342 (strict liability); SOL: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 |
| Washington | 3 yrs | RCW § 16.08.040; SOL: RCW § 4.16.080 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Hawaii?
You have 2 years from Date of bite/injury, under H.R.S. § 663-9 (strict liability); SOL: H.R.S. § 657-7.
Can I still sue after 2 years in Hawaii?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
What if the victim was a minor?
Hawaii generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
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Sources
- Official Hawaii Revised Statutes § 663-9 - Hawaii Legislature
- Corroborating Justia - H.R.S. § 663-9
- Corroborating FindLaw - Hawaii Dog Bite Laws
- 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.