Rule 94.2.Trial Calendar.

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

In one sentenceRule 94.2 requires the court to keep a trial calendar and allows dismissal or default where a party fails to appear when a case is called.

Full Text of Rule 94.2

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The court shall prepare and maintain a trial calendar. All cases placed on the trial calendar shall be assigned to any judge available for trial during the week the trial is set unless it is continued for good cause.

When any case that has been set for trial is called for a calendar call, a pre-trial conference, a settlement conference, or trial itself after timely notice to all attorneys or parties not represented by counsel, the court may, on its own motion or on the motion of any party, dismiss such action or hold one party in default, as the case may be, if any of the parties fail to appear.

Any case, whether on the trial calendar or not, may be advanced and set for a pretrial conference or a settlement conference upon order of the court.

End

Amendment History

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary’s compiled text of this rule carries no amendment order for this rule. For the adopting orders and any later amendments, see the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary’s rules page.

Plain-English Summary

The court prepares and maintains a trial calendar. A case on it is assigned to any judge available for trial during the week the trial is set, unless it is continued for good cause. That assignment model is why Rule 40(c) insists on the client own consent before a trial date moves.

Non-appearance carries a consequence. Where a case set for trial is called for a calendar call, a pre-trial conference, a settlement conference or the trial itself, after timely notice to all attorneys and self-represented parties, the court may on its own motion or a party motion dismiss the action or hold a party in default, as the case may be, if any party fails to appear.

The last sentence gives the court flexibility in the other direction: any case, whether on the trial calendar or not, may be advanced and set for a pre-trial or settlement conference on the court order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which judge hears my Hawaii family court trial?

Any judge available for trial during the week the trial is set, unless the case is continued for good cause.

What happens if I miss a calendar call?

After timely notice, the court may dismiss the action or hold a party in default, as the case may be, on its own motion or that of a party.

Does this apply to settlement conferences?

Yes. The rule reaches a calendar call, a pre-trial conference, a settlement conference and the trial itself.

Can a case be moved up?

Yes. Any case, whether on the trial calendar or not, may be advanced and set for a pre-trial or settlement conference on the court order.

How is a trial date changed?

Rule 40(c) requires good cause including a showing that the client-party has consented, even where counsel have stipulated.

Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the official Hawaii Family Court Rules (Haw. Fam. Ct. R. 94.2). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Hawaii. The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 11, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: trial calendar hawaii family courtcalendar call hawaiifailure to appear at trial hawaiihawaii family court rule 94.2