Supreme Court of the State of Hawaiʻi

Format

Type

Times New Roman 12 pt, double-spaced

Margins

1-inch margins

Opening brief

35 pages

Reply brief

10 pages

What counts

Exclusive of indexes, appendices, and statements of related cases

Rules

Hawaiʻi Rules of Appellate Procedure — HRAP 32; HRAP 28(a)

Parts of the brief, in order

1. Flyleaf (cover) — Required · HRAP 32
2. SUBJECT INDEX — Required · HRAP 28(b)(1)
3. TABLE OF AUTHORITIES — Required · HRAP 28(b)(1)
4. STATEMENT OF THE CASE — Required · HRAP 28(b)(3)
5. POINTS OF ERROR — Required · HRAP 28(b)(4)
6. STANDARD OF REVIEW — Required · HRAP 28(b)(5)
7. ARGUMENT — Required · HRAP 28(b)(7)
8. Relevant constitutional/statutory provisions (verbatim) — If applicable · HRAP 28(b)(8)
9. CONCLUSION — Required · HRAP 28(b)(9)
10. APPENDIX — Required · HRAP 28(b)(10)
11. STATEMENT OF RELATED CASES — Required · HRAP 28(b)(11)
12. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — If applicable · HRAP 28(a)

Argument headings: Argument on the points presented with citations to authorities and record. Points of error in separately numbered paragraphs, each stating (i) the error, (ii) where in the record it occurred, (iii) where it was objected to; points not presented may be disregarded.

Standard of review: Separate section titled 'Standard of Review' identifying the point of error to which each standard applies (HRAP 28(b)(5)).

Record citations: Document referenced + JIMS/JEFS docket number + electronic page (e.g., 'Dkt. 45 at 12'), or filing date + electronic page (HRAP 28(b)(3))

Appendix

Required. Pages are numbered like A12. (HRAP 28(b)(10))

• judgment, order, findings/conclusions or decision relevant to points on appeal

Nothing outside the record may be appended except as the rule allows.

Certificates

• Service: Proof of service of 2 copies on each party if served other than by notice of electronic filing
• Statement of related cases

Good to know

• Opening brief sections must appear in the order listed (HRAP 28(b)).
• Answering brief: index/authorities, statement of case, points (response), standard of review, argument, provisions, conclusion (HRAP 28(c)); reply only responds to answering brief (28(d)).
• Font rule (2010 amendment text): equivalent of 12-pt pica, no more than 14 chars/inch; 12-pt Times New Roman, Courier New or Arial deemed compliant; footnotes/quotations same size as text; double or 1.5 spacing. Could not re-verify Rule 32 in the 2025 compiled text (fetch truncated).
• Flyleaf has a 3-inch top margin.

Filing: JEFS (Judiciary Electronic Filing System) for attorneys.