[ §663-1.57] Owner to felon; limited liability. (a) An owner, including but not limited to a public entity, of any estate or any other interest in real property, whether possessory or nonpossessory, or any agent of the owner lawfully on the premises by consent of the owner, shall not be liable to any perpetrator engaged in any of the felonies set forth in subsection (b) for any injury or death to the perpetrator that occurs upon that property during the course of or after the commission of such felony, or when a reasonable person would believe that commission of a felony as set forth in subsection (b) is imminent; provided that if the perpetrator is injured, the perpetrator is charged with the criminal offense and convicted of the criminal offense or of a lesser included felony or misdemeanor.
(b) This section applies to the following felonies:
(1) Murder in the first or second degree;
(2) Attempted murder in the first or second degree;
(3) Any class A felony as provided in the Hawaii Penal Code, including any attempt or conspiracy to commit a crime classified as a class A felony;
(4) Any class B felony involving violence or physical harm as provided in the Hawaii Penal Code;
(5) Any felony punishable by imprisonment for life;
(6) Any other felony in which the person inflicts serious bodily injury on another person; and
(7) Any felony in which the person personally used a firearm or a dangerous or deadly weapon.
(c) The limitation on liability under this section arises:
(1) At the moment the perpetrator commences the felony to which this section applies; or
(2) At the moment the owner or agent of the owner lawfully on the premises by consent of the owner believes that a commission of a felony under subsection (b) is imminent;
and extends to the moment the perpetrator is no longer upon the property.
(d) The limitation on liability under this section applies only when the perpetrator's conduct in furtherance of the commission of a felony specified in subsection (b) proximately or legally causes the injury or death.
(e) This section does not limit the liability of an owner that otherwise exists for:
(1) Wilful, wanton, or criminal conduct; or
(2) Wilful or malicious failure to guard or warn against a dangerous condition, use, or structure; or
(3) Injury or death caused to individuals other than the perpetrator of the felony.
(f) Except with regard to subsections (e)(1) and (e)(3), the limitation of liability under this section shall not be affected by the failure of the owner to warn the perpetrator of the felony that the owner is armed and ready to cause bodily harm or death.
(g) For purposes of this section, "owner" means the owner, the occupant, tenant, or anyone authorized to be on the property by the owner or the occupant, including a guest or a family or household member, employee, or agent of the owner lawfully on the premises.
(h) The limitation on liability provided by this section shall be in addition to any other available defense. [L 2010, c 97, §1]
Structure Hawaii Revised Statutes
Title 36. Civil Remedies and Defenses and Special Proceedings
663-1 Torts, who may sue and for what.
663-1.2 Tort liability for breach of contract; punitive damages.
663-1.3 "Ad damnum" clause prohibited.
663-1.4 Payment of reasonable attorney's fees and costs in defense of suit.
663-1.5 Exception to liability.
663-1.8 Chiropractic society; peer review committee; no liability; exceptions.
663-1.53 Liability for operation of a family child care home.
663-1.55 Volunteer firefighters; limited liability.
663-2 Defense of lawful detention.
663-4 Actions which survive death of wrongdoer or other person liable.
663-5 Death of defendant, continuance of action.
663-7 Survival of cause of action.
663-8 Damages, future earnings.
663-8.3 Loss or impairment of earning capacity; damages.
663-8.5 Noneconomic damages; defined.
663-8.7 Limitation on pain and suffering.
663-9 Liability of animal owners.
663-9.1 Exception of animal owners to civil liability.
663-9.5 Liability of firearm owners.
663-10 Collateral sources; protection for liens and rights of subrogation.
663-10.6 Exemption for providing shelter and subsistence to the needy.
663-10.9 Abolition of joint and several liability; exceptions.
663-10.95 Motorsports facilities; waiver of liability.
663-10.98 Design professional liability; highways.
663-10.99 Trespass; limited liability of agricultural land owner.
663-11 Joint tortfeasors defined.
663-12 Right of contribution; accrual; pro rata share.
663-13 Judgment against one tortfeasor.
663-15.5 Release; joint tortfeasors; co-obligors; good faith settlement.
663-21 Advance payments not admission.