Rule 2.1.Compliance with Rules.

Current through July 1, 2026 · Last verified September 11, 2026

In one sentenceRule 2.1 lets the court sanction a party for failing to comply with these rules, the electronic filing rules or the court records rules.

Full Text of Rule 2.1

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The court may impose sanctions for non-compliance with these Rules, the Hawaiʻi Electronic Filing and Services Rules, and/or the Hawaiʻi Court Records Rules, including but not limited to the sanctions authorized in Rule 37(b)(2) and 89 of these Rules.

End

Amendment History

(Amended March 30, 2022, effective April 25, 2022.)

Plain-English Summary

A short enforcement provision covering all three of the rule sets that govern a family court file. Non-compliance with these rules, with the Hawaii Electronic Filing and Services Rules, or with the Hawaii Court Records Rules may draw sanctions.

The rule points to two places for the menu of sanctions: the discovery sanctions in Rule 37(b)(2) and the general sanctions power in Rule 89. Both are named as examples rather than limits, since the text reads "including but not limited to". A court is not confined to the listed sanctions when the conduct calls for something else.

What the rule does not supply is a procedure. There is no motion requirement, no notice period and no safe harbour here, so a party facing a sanctions request looks to the rule the sanction is drawn from.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can a Hawaii family court sanction a party for?

Non-compliance with the Family Court Rules, the Hawaii Electronic Filing and Services Rules, or the Hawaii Court Records Rules.

Which sanctions are available?

The rule names the discovery sanctions in Rule 37(b)(2) and the sanctions in Rule 89, and says the list is not exhaustive.

Does Rule 2.1 set out a procedure for imposing sanctions?

No. It supplies the authority. Procedure comes from the rule the particular sanction is drawn from.

Can a filing error draw a sanction?

It can. The rule reaches non-compliance with the electronic filing rules and the court records rules, not only with the rules in this set.

Where is the general sanctions power in these rules?

Rule 89, which Rule 2.1 names alongside Rule 37(b)(2).

Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the official Hawaii Family Court Rules (Haw. Fam. Ct. R. 2.1). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Hawaii. The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 11, 2026. · Official source

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