§657-4 Two years; libel and slander. All actions for libel or slander shall be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued, and not after. [CC 1859, §1037; am imp L 1907, c 113, §1; am L 1913, c 19, §1; RL 1925, §2642; RL 1935, §3913; RL 1945, §10424; RL 1955, §241-4; am L 1965, c 139, §2; HRS §657-4]
Case Notes
Portions of plaintiff's defamation claim based on defendant's 2007 report and alleged 2007 statements were time-barred, where plaintiff filed the action in 2010. 892 F. Supp. 2d 1245 (2012).
Claim for defamation accrues when defamee discovers or reasonably should have discovered publication. 65 H. 478, 653 P.2d 1155 (1982).
Distinguished from "general" personal injury statute of limitations of §657-7. 73 H. 578, 837 P.2d 1247 (1992).
Cited: 42 H. 177, 179 (1957).
Mentioned: 817 F. Supp. 850 (1992).
Structure Hawaii Revised Statutes
Title 36. Civil Remedies and Defenses and Special Proceedings
657-1.8 Civil action arising from sexual offenses; application; certificate of merit.
657-3.5 Relation back of amendments.
657-4 Two years; libel and slander.
657-5 Domestic judgments and decrees.
657-5.5 Judgments for support.
657-6 Four years; causes arising in foreign jurisdiction, etc.
657-7 Damage to persons or property.
657-7.3 Medical torts; limitation of actions; time.
657-7.5 Third-party defendants, time in which plaintiff may amend.
657-8 Limitation of action for damages based on construction to improve real property.
657-9 Action barred in foreign jurisdiction.
657-11 Recoveries authorized by federal statute.
657-13 Infancy, insanity, imprisonment.
657-14 Disability to exist at accrual of action.
657-15 Two or more disabilities.
657-18 Extension by absence from State.
657-19 Extension by injunction.
657-20 Extension by fraudulent concealment.
657-21 Extension by keeping defendant in ignorance.
657-21.5 Extension by sentencing of criminal defendant.
657-22 When process not commencement.
657-23 Extension while criminal case is pending.
657-24 Periodic payments of damages.