(a) Reserved.
Rule 80.Stenographic Report or Transcript as Evidence.
Last verified July 3, 2026
In one sentenceRule 80 lets a certified transcript of stenographically reported testimony from an earlier trial or hearing serve as evidence at a later one.
Full Text of Rule 80
(b) Reserved.
(c) Stenographic report or transcript as evidence. Whenever the testimony of a witness at a trial or hearing which was stenographically reported is admissible in evidence at a later trial, it may be proved by the transcript thereof duly certified by the person who reported the testimony.
Plain-English Summary
When a witness's testimony from an earlier trial or hearing was stenographically reported, and that testimony is admissible at a later trial, it can be proved through the transcript, so long as it's duly certified by the person who reported it. Subdivisions (a) and (b) of this rule are reserved, leaving this evidentiary rule as the operative provision.
This lets a party bring prior sworn testimony into a new proceeding without needing the original witness back on the stand, so long as the testimony would otherwise be admissible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can old trial testimony be used as evidence in a later case?
Yes, if it's otherwise admissible and was stenographically reported, it can be proved through a transcript certified by the person who reported it.
Does the original court reporter need to testify again to use the transcript?
No. A duly certified transcript is itself sufficient proof of the earlier testimony.
Source & verification. The rule text and History are reproduced verbatim from the
official Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure (Haw. R. Civ. P. 80). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Hawaii (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 602-11; Haw. Const. art. VI, § 7). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 3, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: stenographic transcript as evidenceusing prior testimony