# Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-31.5: Adverse possession

> Hawaii · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D4_T36_C657_S657-31.5

## Section

- **Citation:** Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-31.5
- **Heading:** Adverse possession
- **Jurisdiction:** Hawaii
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** HI Code / Division 4 / Title 36 / Chapter 657 / Section 657-31.5

## Text

In an action under this part where the person defending the action claims by adverse possession in excess of the period of limitation, said claim can only be made:

(1) If the real property which is the subject of the action is five acres or less; and

(2) Where the person claiming by adverse possession has not asserted any similar claim, in good faith, within the past twenty years; however, this shall not include similar claims made before November 7, 1978.

However, any person defending an action under this part may claim adverse possession if that person's time period of adverse possession of the land exceeded twenty years prior to November 7, 1978, or exceeded other earlier applicable time periods of adverse possession. [L 1979, c 157, §2]

## Nearby sections

- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1.5 Limitation of actions not applicable to State.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D4_T36_C657_S657-1.5.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1.7 Civil action arising from sexual offenses against adult victims; certificate of merit.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D4_T36_C657_S657-1.7.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1.8 Civil action arising from sexual offenses; application; certificate of merit; trauma-informed response.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D4_T36_C657_S657-1.8.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-2 Mutual current account.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D4_T36_C657_S657-2.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-3 Counterclaim.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D4_T36_C657_S657-3.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-3.5 Relation back of amendments.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D4_T36_C657_S657-3.5.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-4 Two years; libel and slander.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D4_T36_C657_S657-4.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-5 Domestic judgments and decrees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D4_T36_C657_S657-5.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-5.5 Judgments for support.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D4_T36_C657_S657-5.5.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-6 Four years; causes arising in foreign jurisdiction, etc.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D4_T36_C657_S657-6.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-7 Damage to persons or property.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D4_T36_C657_S657-7.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-7.3 Medical torts; limitation of actions; time.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D4_T36_C657_S657-7.3.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-7.5 Third-party defendants, time in which plaintiff may amend.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D4_T36_C657_S657-7.5.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-8 Limitation of action for damages based on construction to improve real property.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D4_T36_C657_S657-8.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D4_T36_C657_S657-31.5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.