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Hawaii Mechanics Lien
Deadlines & Filing Rules

Every notice, deadline, and recording requirement for a Hawaii construction lien, drawn from HRS § 507-43 and the same rule engine that calculates deadlines for our filing customers.

Get matched with a Hawaii lien attorney See the deadlines

Hawaii lien rules at a glance

Preliminary notice
Not required to preserve lien rights
Lien filing deadline
within 45 days after completion of the project
Notarization
Not required
No sworn statement or verification is required
Where to record
Circuit court clerk for the county
E-recording
Varies by county
Ask the recording office whether it accepts electronic recording before you rely on it.

Who can file a mechanics lien in Hawaii

Lien rights depend on where you sit in the contracting chain. Tenant-ordered improvements can support a lien in Hawaii.

Claimant Lien rights in Hawaii
General contractor (direct contract with the owner) Yes
Subcontractor (hired by the general contractor) Yes
Sub-subcontractor (hired by a subcontractor) Yes
Material supplier to the owner Yes
Material supplier to the general contractor Yes
Material supplier to a subcontractor Yes

Hawaii mechanics lien deadlines

Not required to preserve lien rights.

Calculate your Hawaii deadlines

Enter your role and project dates to turn the rules below into calendar dates. For other states, use the mechanics lien deadline calculator.

Project type

Choose your role to see which dates you need.

These dates come from the same rules our lien filing service uses. They are not moved for weekends or holidays. Deadlines turn on facts specific to your project. Confirm with counsel before relying on them.

Mechanics lien filing deadline

The last day the lien can be recorded against the property.

Who Project type Deadline
All claimants All projects Within 45 days after completion of the project

Hawaii does not require a notice of intent before recording a lien, but sending one is often what gets the invoice paid.

Recording and enforcing a Hawaii lien

Recording the lien

Record with the circuit court clerk for the county. Whether electronic recording is accepted varies by county, so confirm with the recording office and build mailing time into the deadline. No notary is required on the lien itself. No sworn statement or verification is required.

After recording

A copy of the recorded lien must be served on the property owner, the general contractor, and the lender promptly after recording.

Wrongful lien exposure

We found no dedicated wrongful-lien penalty in Hawaii's lien statute. An owner can still ask a court to remove an inflated or baseless lien, so claim only what you are owed.

Practitioner notes for Hawaii

Hawaii handles mechanic's liens through the courts rather than a recorder's office. A claimant files an "Application For A Lien" with a written "Notice Of Lien" in the circuit court for the circuit where the property is located, and serves copies like a summons on the owner, anyone with an interest in the property, and the party who contracted for the work (HRS § 507-43(a)). The deadline is 45 days after the "date of completion" (HRS § 507-43(b)). That date is set by a published notice of completion filed with the circuit court clerk. If no valid notice is published and filed within one year after the work is actually completed or abandoned, completion is treated as one year after actual completion (HRS § 507-43(f), (g)). The court holds a hearing 3 to 10 days after service to decide whether probable cause exists, and the lien attaches only if the court orders it. For land registered in Land Court, file a certified copy of that order with the assistant registrar within 7 days. The lien expires 3 months after the order is entered unless a foreclosure action is started in that time (HRS §§ 507-43(e), 507-47). On repairs to homes, a supplier has no lien if it sold to an unlicensed contractor or advanced unreasonable credit (HRS § 507-49). Hawaii does not require a preliminary notice. Court procedure matters here, so confirm with counsel before filing.

These notes summarize the statute as we read it.

Statutory sources: HRS § 507-43. Read the Hawaii lien statute. Deadlines turn on facts specific to your project. Confirm with counsel before relying on them.

Filing a Hawaii mechanics lien

Hawaii liens are filed through the courts by an attorney, so we do not sell a self-serve Hawaii filing. Tell us about the project and we connect you with a Hawaii attorney who handles construction lien filings.

Request a Hawaii lien attorney Send a preliminary notice instead

Hawaii mechanics lien FAQ

How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in Hawaii?
The Hawaii lien must be recorded within 45 days after completion of the project. The same deadline applies to every claimant.
Do I need to send a preliminary notice in Hawaii?
No. Hawaii does not require a preliminary notice to preserve lien rights, although sending one is still an effective way to get paid before a lien becomes necessary.
Does a Hawaii mechanics lien need to be notarized?
No. Hawaii does not require a notary on the lien itself. No sworn statement or verification is required.
Where is a mechanics lien filed in Hawaii?
With the circuit court clerk for the county. Whether electronic recording is accepted varies by county, so check with the recording office and allow time for mailing and processing when working back from your deadline.
Can a subcontractor file a mechanics lien in Hawaii?
Yes. Subcontractors have lien rights in Hawaii, and so do sub-subcontractors.

More Hawaii lien tools

Bordering states

This page summarizes Hawaii lien law for general information and is not legal advice. Deadlines depend on your role, project type, and dates; confirm them against the statute or with counsel before relying on them.