§1-1 - Common law of the State; exceptions.

§1-1  Common law of the State; exceptions. 
The common law of England, as ascertained by English and American decisions, is
declared to be the common law of the State of Hawaii in all cases, except as
otherwise expressly provided by the Constitution or laws of the United States,
or by the laws of the State, or fixed by Hawaiian judicial precedent, or
established by Hawaiian usage; provided that no person shall be subject to
criminal proceedings except as provided by the written laws of the United
States or of the State. [L 1892, c 57, §5; am L 1903, c 32, §2; RL 1925, §1; RL
1935, §1; RL 1945, §1; RL 1955, §1-1; HRS §1-1]

Attorney General Opinions

  Common-law authority establishes that governmental bodies
possess inherent power to receive gifts to be used in implementing their
functions.  Att. Gen. Op. 92-4.

Law Journals and Reviews

  Beach Access:  A Public Right?  23 HBJ 65.

  Native Hawaiian Cultural Practices Under Threat.  I HBJ No.
13, at pg. 1.

  On the Reception of the Common Law in the Hawaiian Islands. 
III HBJ No. 13, at pg. 87.

  The Lum Court and Native Hawaiian Rights.  14 UH L. Rev. 377.

  Pele Defense Fund v. Paty:  Exacerbating the Inherent
Conflict Between Hawaiian Native Tenant Access and Gathering Rights and Western
Property Rights.  16 UH L. Rev. 207.

  Public Access Shoreline Hawaii v. Hawaii County Planning
Commission:  The Affirmative Duty to Consider the Effect of Development on
Native Hawaiian Gathering Rights.  16 UH L. Rev. 303.

  The Reassertion of Native Hawaiian Gathering Rights Within
The Context of Hawai‘i's Western System of Land Tenure.  17 UH L. Rev. 165.

  Cultures in Conflict in Hawai‘i:  The Law and Politics of
Native Hawaiian Water Rights.  18 UH L. Rev. 71.

  Customary Revolutions:  The Law of Custom and the Conflict of
Traditions in Hawai‘i.  20 UH L. Rev. 99.

  The Backlash Against PASH:  Legislative Attempts To Restrict
Native Hawaiian Rights.  20 UH L. Rev. 321.

  The Latest Take on Background Principles and the States' Law
of Property After Lucas and Palazzolo.  24 UH L. Rev. 497.

  Loko i‘a:  A Legal Guide to the Restoration of Native
Hawaiian Fishponds Within the Western Paradigm.  24 UH L. Rev. 657.

  Wiping Out the Ban on Surfboards at Point Panic.  27 UH L.
Rev. 303.

  Biopiracy in Paradise?:  Fulfilling the Legal Duty to
Regulate Bioprospecting in Hawai‘i.  28 UH L. Rev. 387.

  The Hawaiian Usage Exception to the Common Law:  An
Inoculation Against the Effects of Western Influence.  30 UH L. Rev. 319.

  Public Beach Access:  A Right for All?  Opening the Gate to
Iroquois Point Beach.  30 UH L. Rev. 495.

  The "Hawaiianness" of Same-Sex Adoption.  30 UH L.
Rev. 517.

Case Notes

Generally.

  As this section does not establish the supremacy of the 1840
Constitution over the current state constitution, or somehow render the
documents concurrent, whether chapter 431 violated the 1840 Constitution was
immaterial for purposes of defendant's conviction.  90 H. 130 (App.), 976 P.2d
444.

  Article XII, §7 of the Hawaii constitution and/or this
section do not authorize for native Hawaiian grandparents any more visitation
rights than §571-46(7) and §571-46.3 authorize for all grandparents, native and
non-native Hawaiian.  112 H. 113 (App.), 144 P.3d 561.

Background of statute; general principles.

  Prior to 1893, common law (usually) or civil law, not
contrary to Hawaiian law or usage, followed as reason and equity dictated (L
1847, p 5; cc 1859, §§14, 823).  2 H. 209; 3 H. 90, 95; 3 H. 106, 112; 5 H.
543; 6 H. 718, 725; 8 H. 77, 80; 13 H. 499, 505; 17 H. 393, 410; 27 H. 626; 27
H. 671, 674; 31 H. 661, 669, reh'g denied 31 H. 796; 41 H. 634; 45 H. 373,
383-84, 369 P.2d 96; 46 H. 425, 429, 380 P.2d 762.

  Effective January 1, 1893, common law adopted
"except as otherwise provided..., or fixed by Hawaiian judicial precedent,
or established by Hawaiian usage...."  Effect of Hawaiian judicial
precedent:  10 H. 421, 436; 16 H. 294, 303; 20 H. 146, 149; 25 H. 701, 708; 27
H. 626, 628; 31 H. 661, 669, reh'g denied 31 H. 796; 38 H. 479, 481; 40 H. 92;
45 H. 373, 383-84, 369 P.2d 96; 46 H. 425, 429, 380 P.2d 762; 49 H. 273, 414
P.2d 925.  Statute gives Hawaiian decisions "the force of a statute". 
25 H. 701, 708; 42 H. 518, 525.  Effect of Hawaiian usage:  10 H. 408
(conveyance by lessor); 10 H. 421, 436 (conveyance by disseisee); 12 H. 375,
391 (estates tail, fees simple conditional); 16 H. 377, 389, overruled on
another point 25 H. 397, 405, 21 H. 74, 83 (merger of estates); 18 H. 91, 96,
aff'd 212 U.S. 208 (deed of release); 20 H. 146, 149 (whether agreement void
for champerty); 24 H. 47, 57; 31 H. 376, 383; aff'd 52 F.2d 356 (water rights);
49 H. 273, 414 P.2d 925 (adoption).

  Rejection, previous to 1893, of essential parts of common law
justifies present rejection of other parts; and previous application (contrary
to common law) of a general principle to one question justifies subsequent
application to another question.  10 H. 421, 436; 12 H. 375, 380; 16 H. 615,
628; 31 H. 661, 669, reh'g denied 31 H. 796; 40 H. 92; 45 H. 373, 384, 369 P.2d
96.

  Court to consult both American and English decisions.  10 H.
421, 434; 14 H. 554, 561; 18 H. 588, 591, aff'd 212 U.S. 208; 22 H. 140, 144;
29 H. 571, 577; 30 H. 912, 938-43; 40 H. 86, 89; 49 H. 624, 629, 425 P.2d 1014.

  Statute adopting common law inapplicable where title already
vested.  13 H. 499, 500.  Applicability to construction of will already
probated, raised but not decided. 12 H. 375, 379-80.

  This section continued in effect by Hawaiian Organic Act.  1
U.S.D.C. Haw. 75, aff'd 114 F. 849; 305 U.S. 91, 108, aff'g 33 H. 34.

  Common law consists of principles, not set rules.  14 H. 554,
561; 22 H. 140, 144; 39 H. 460, 466, aff'd 205 F.2d 616; 40 H. 86, 89; 41 H.
106, 117-21; 42 H. 500.

  "Common law" adopted by this statute includes
English statutes, unless too recent.  16 H. 294, 303; 20 H. 447, 450; 22 H.
140, 144; 40 H. 86, 89 (includes statutes passed before emigration of first
settlers to America).  Includes statute of 13th Elizabeth governing fraudulent
conveyances.  21 H. 1, 3; 39 H. 493, 496.  Includes rule against perpetuities. 
18 H. 52, 69, aff'd 211 U.S. 321; 32 H. 323, 330; 34 H. 288, 293.

  This statute deemed to preclude adoption of modern rule.  22
H. 140; 28 H. 275, 276; 36 H. 107, 110; see 25 H. 357, 371, aff'd 272 F. 856,
questioned 49 H. 456, 487, 421 P.2d 550.  But other cases hold court not
required to follow a rule based on reasons which no longer exist or conditions
which do not obtain.  10 H. 408, 413; 10 H. 421, 436; 14 H. 554; 27 F.2d 582,
rev'g 29 H. 770; 40 H. 86, 89; 41 H. 527, 552.  Not required to follow a rule
repugnant to the system established in Hawaii.  12 H. 375, 391.  May apply
enlightened modern authorities.  29 H. 571, 577; 39 H. 460, 465, aff'd 205 F.2d
616; 198 F. Supp. 78, 105-11, aff'd 304 F.2d 149.

  Applicability of common law in determining duties of public
officers.  29 H. 83, denying reh'g of 29 H. 21; 42 H. 14.  Right to sue on bail
bond.  19 H. 4, 7.

  Common law does not remain in sedentary state.  52 H. 40, 469
P.2d 183.

  Rule against perpetuities is part of English common law.  52
H. 40, 469 P.2d 183.

  Referred to:  16 H. 731, 733; 17 H. 566, 569; 19 H. 88, 93;
19 H. 366, 375 (concurring opinion); 26 H. 699, 700; 27 H. 655, 659, aff'd 10
F.2d 474, 477; 46 H. 197, 209, 377 P.2d 609; 69 F.2d 681, 682; 190 U.S. 197,
217; 3 U.S.D.C. Haw. 176, 179; 238 F. Supp. 867.

Criminal law and procedure.

  See also notes under Effect of common law on statutory
construction.

  Practice of putting question why sentence should not be
pronounced, not indispensable.  3 H. 106.

  No common law offenses.  4 H. 39; 10 H. 469, 472; 11 H. 293,
300.

  Leave of court required for a nol. pros.  6 H. 718.

  Elements of offense where not defined, resort to common law. 
25 H. 814.

  Appeal in mitigation fixed by Hawaiian judicial precedent. 
38 H. 479, 481.

  Whether corroboration of accomplice required, governed by
common law.  45 H. 16, 42, 361 P.2d 45.

  No common law offenses, and the applicable statute or
ordinance itself must provide a penalty.  62 H. 656, 619 P.2d 93.

Effect of common law on statutory construction.

  Torrens Act construed in light of common law.  256 F.2d 208,
212, remanding 41 H. 490, modified 42 H. 661.

  Appellants' contention that native Hawaiian rights were
exclusive and possessory was unsupported in the law.  76 F.3d 280.

  If plaintiff could prove that its custom and usage of subject
land, prior to 1892, established its right of occupancy and use based upon the
doctrine of individual aboriginal title, then that doctrine, as established in
1923, would apply.  Any aboriginal title that plaintiff may have had was
extinguished; plaintiff failed to show that its use and occupancy of the area
was exclusive as required by the doctrine.  875 F. Supp. 680.

  Plaintiff's claims of reserved rights of native tenants under
Hawaii law did not extend to the right of perpetual and exclusive occupancy
upon the land of another; plaintiff's ancestors' failure to claim kuleana title
to subject land, which rendered them tenants at sufferance, foreclosed
plaintiff's attempt to claim possessory rights to the land under Hawaii law. 
875 F. Supp. 680.

  Statutes in derogation of common law strictly construed.  5
H. 41; 9 H. 23, 25; 10 H. 151, 159; 22 H. 765, 767 (explaining earlier cases);
23 H. 541, 545; 37 H. 374, 379 (ordinance); 37 H. 571, 580; 49 H. 624, 628, 425
P.2d 1014; 50 H. 201, 436 P.2d 752.  But should nevertheless be construed in
accordance with legislative purpose.  41 H. 442, 459; 44 H. 59, 67, 352 P.2d
335.

  Grounds for annulment held exclusively statutory.  8 H. 77.

  Interpretation of words in criminal statute according to
common law meaning.  8 H. 259; 22 H. 618, 629; 33 H. 560, 563.

  Marriage controlled by statute, no common law marriage.  25
H. 397.

  Usury statute as superseding common law.  36 H. 107.

  Statute codifying common law, interpreted according to modern
decisions.  39 H. 460, 465, aff'd 205 F.2d 616.

  Common law as background in applying statutes prescribing
time and place of trial.  46 H. 197, 209, note 4, 377 P.2d 728.

  The common law recognizes a cause of action for invasion of
right of privacy where defendant uses plaintiff's name or picture for
commercial purposes.  50 H. 374, 441 P.2d 141.

  Common law holds that right to rent to accrue on a lease of
real property is an interest in realty.  Rent already due is personalty.  56 H.
295, 535 P.2d 1109.

  Common law rule for use of ancient documents as evidence
construed.  57 H. 312, 555 P.2d 495.

  Joint owners of an animal may be liable in an action for
injuries caused by such animal.  57 H. 620, 562 P.2d 779.

  "Hawaiian usage" must predate November 25,
1892.  58 H. 106, 566 P.2d 725.

  No evidence that "Hawaiian usage" gave to owner of
land along seashore title to lava extensions created by volcanic eruption. 58
H. 106, 566 P.2d 725.

  Where practices have, without harm to anyone, been continued,
reference to Hawaiian usage in section insures their continuance for so long as
no actual harm is done thereby.  Retention of a Hawaiian tradition should in
each case be determined by balancing respective interests and harm once it is
established that application of the custom has continued in a particular area. 
66 H. 1, 656 P.2d 745.

  "Hawaiian usage" clause may establish certain
customary Hawaiian rights beyond those found in §7-1.  73 H. 578, 837 P.2d
1247.

  Common law rights ordinarily associated with tenancy do not
limit customary rights existing under the laws of Hawaii.  79 H. 425, 903 P.2d
1246.

  Descendants of native Hawaiians who inhabited islands prior
to 1778 who assert valid customary and traditional Hawaiian rights under this
section entitled to protection regardless of their blood quantum.  79 H. 425,
903 P.2d 1246.

  Hawaii constitution and this section require county planning
commission to "preserve and protect" reasonable exercise of customary
or traditional native Hawaiian rights to the extent feasible when issuing
special management area use permits.  79 H. 425, 903 P.2d 1246.

  If property is deemed "fully developed", i.e.,
lands zoned and used for residential purposes with existing dwellings,
improvements, and infrastructure, it is always "inconsistent" to
permit the practice of traditional and customary native Hawaiian rights on such
property.  89 H. 177, 970 P.2d 485.

  To establish the existence of a traditional or customary
native Hawaiian practice, there must be an adequate foundation in the record
connecting the claimed right to a firmly rooted traditional or customary native
Hawaiian practice.  89 H. 177, 970 P.2d 485.

  Where defendant failed to adduce sufficient evidence to
support claim of the exercise of a constitutionally protected native Hawaiian
right and knowingly entered landowner's property which was fenced in a manner
to exclude others, trial court properly concluded that defendant was unlawfully
on property in violation of §708-814(1).  89 H. 177, 970 P.2d 485.

Judicial precedents prior to adoption of common law by this
statute (with cases applying these precedents).

  Delivery of seisin obsolete.  1 H. 17.  Deed reserving life
estate valid.  4 H. 515, 517; 5 H. 484.  Rule in Shelley's case rejected.  8 H.
392; 12 H. 375, 389; 13 H. 196, 199; 19 H. 78.

  Seal not necessary to validity of instrument.  1 H. 23; 4 H.
459; 6 H. 633 (single justice).  Applied as rendering of no force common law
distinction between action of covenant and of assumpsit.  40 H. 92. 
Incontestability of sealed instrument for want of consideration raised but not
decided.  29 H. 548.

  Widow may recover for death of husband.  2 H. 209; 1 U.S.D.C.
Haw. 75, aff'd 114 F. 849.  Applied as allowing action by father for death of
minor child.  16 H. 615, 628; 27 H. 671, 674; 31 H. 939; 37 H. 571.  But not as
allowing action for death of adult child, 27 H. 626, or for injury to parent
short of death, 41 H. 634.  Applied as rejecting rule of Baker v. Bolton (1
Camp. 493) that death of human being not an injury, so as to permit personal
representative to sue for lost earnings under survival statute (§663-7).  45 H.
373, 369 P.2d 96.

  Rule that conveyance to two or more construed as joint
tenancy, rejected.  5 H. 543; 8 H. 392, 396.  Precedent applied in case of
adverse holding by two or more.  31 H. 661, reh'g denied 31 H. 796.

  Survival of cause of action governed by common law in absence
of specific statute.  6 H. 556 (single justice); 34 H. 667.

  Grounds for annulment, held exclusively statutory.  8 H. 77.

  Estates tail and fees simple conditional rejected (without
reliance on statutes prior to 1893).  12 H. 375, 391-4; 20 H. 372, 377; 21 H.
699, aff'd 242 U.S. 612; 23 H. 747, 757, aff'd 255 F. 732; 25 H. 561, 567.

  Word "heirs" unnecessary to conveyance of a fee
simple.  13 H. 499; 23 H. 38, 44, aff'd 242 F. 446; 23 H. 298, 304; 46 H. 425,
429, 380 P.2d 762.

  Statute of uses is in force, the point having been settled as
early as 1855.  16 H. 294, 303.

  Common law doctrine of merger of estates rejected.  16 H.
377, 388, overruled on another point 26 H. 405.

  Status of adopted child as "issue" in view of
Hawaiian usage and precedents.  35 H. 104, aff'd 115 F.2d 956; 42 H. 640; 49 H.
273, 414 P.2d 925.

  Hawaiian usage in establishing seaward boundaries.  50 H.
314, 440 P.2d 76.

  Hawaiian usage mentioned is usage which predated
Nov. 25, 1892.  52 H. 472, 479 P.2d 202.