Hawaii Statewide Rule
Hawaii Abandoned Vehicle Removal Law
Key Facts
- Public property
- 24+ hours may trigger
- Statute
- HRS Chapter 290
- Maximum fine
- $1,000 plus costs
- Repeat offenders
- Higher penalties (HRS 290-46)
Summary
Hawaii statutorily defines abandoned vehicles and authorizes counties to remove them under uniform standards. State law sets timelines, notice requirements, owner liability, and disposal procedures applicable across all islands.
§290-2 Notice to owner. (a) Upon taking custody of any abandoned vehicle, a written notice shall immediately be sent by registered or certified mail to the legal and registered owner of the vehicle at the address on record at the vehicle licensing division. The notice shall contain a brief description of the vehicle, the location of custody, and intended disposition of the vehicle if not repossessed within ten days after the mailing of the notice, or in the case where the address of the registered owner on record at the vehicle licensing division is an out-of-state address, within twenty business days after the mailing of the notice. A notice need not be sent to a legal or registered owner or any person with an unrecorded interest in the vehicle whose name or address cannot be determined. Absent evidence to the contrary, a notice shall be deemed received by the legal or registered owner five days after the mailing.
Full Breakdown
HRS Chapter 290 governs abandoned and derelict vehicles statewide. A vehicle left on public property beyond the county threshold (often 24 hours), or on private property without consent, may be deemed abandoned. Counties must notify the registered owner before towing and disposal, and owners are liable for towing, storage, and disposal costs. Vehicles unclaimed after the statutory period may be sold at public auction or scrapped. The registered owner of an abandoned or derelict vehicle may be fined up to $1,000, with higher penalties for repeat offenders under HRS 290-46.
Violations & Penalties
Leaving an abandoned or derelict vehicle carries a fine of up to $1,000 under HRS Chapter 290, plus full reimbursement of towing, storage, and disposal costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a vehicle sit on a Hawaii street before towing?
Who pays for towing an abandoned vehicle in Hawaii?
Sources
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