State lemon law · checked October 23, 2026

Hawaii lemon law

Verified against the statute / official state publicationHaw. Rev. Stat. ch. 481I (§§481I-1–481I-7)

The short version

The deduction stops growing at the trigger date — later miles are free.
30 BUSINESS days out of service; the state board, not the manufacturer, hears the case.
Written notice must land before the rights period expires.

The presumption — Hawaii's numbers

Presumption window	The rights period is the earliest of the warranty term, 2 years, or 24,000 miles.
Same defect	3+ repair attempts
Safety defect	1+ attempt(s) — A life-threatening safety defect: 1 attempt.
Days out of service	30+ business days — 30 or more BUSINESS days out of service.

The presumption is the set of numbers that shifts the burden to the manufacturer. A claim can exist outside the presumption — it is a shortcut, not the whole road. Read why.

The buyback — Hawaii's formula

Deduction = 1% of the purchase price per 1,000 miles of use up to the trigger date — the 3rd repair attempt, the 1st safety attempt, or the 30th business day out, whichever came first. The same as price × trigger miles ÷ 100,000.

Notice and procedure

Written notice to the manufacturer must be given before the rights period expires — it is an element of the Hawaii presumption.

Dispute route: Hawaii's State Certified Arbitration Program (DCCA) is the required first forum — a state-run board, not the manufacturer's.

Attorney's fees: Hawaii provides attorney's fees to a prevailing consumer.

Your deadline

A Hawaii case must be initiated within 1 year after the rights period expires, through the State Certified Arbitration Program (SCAP). Filing fees: $50 consumer / $200 manufacturer.

Who and what is covered

New vehicles	Covered
Leased vehicles	Covered
Used vehicles	Covered in defined situations — see notes
Motorcycles	Covered
RV / motor home	Covered — chassis / powertrain only

Motorcycles ARE covered under the current §481I-2 — several national sites still print an old exemption. Mopeds and motor scooters are excluded.

Included in the $39 Lemon Verdict Pack

Your repair-log tracker, the Hawaii notice letter, the buyback worksheet on Hawaii's formula, and your deadline calendar.

See the Lemon Verdict Pack

Sources

Haw. Rev. Stat. §481I-3 (presumption + offset)
Haw. Rev. Stat. §481I-2 (motorcycles covered)
HI DCCA consumer notice, Jan. 2026

Checked October 23, 2026. Laws change; if your claim is close to a line, verify the current statute or ask a lawyer in Hawaii. This page is information, not legal advice.