The Hawaiian Kingdom Supreme Court

The judicial power of the Kingdom is vested in one Supreme Court and in such inferior courts as the Legislature may, from time to time, establish. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. It is the final court of appeal at the top of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s judicial system.

The Supreme Court considers civil, criminal and constitutional cases, but normally only after the cases have been heard in appropriate lower circuit, district or police courts.

The Supreme Court consists of a Chief Justice and four (4) Associate Justices. All judges are appointed by the Monarch upon advise of the Privy Council of State.

Any Hawaiian subject can have their case heard by the Supreme Court, but first, permission or leave must be obtained from the court. Leave is granted for cases that involve a matter of public importance, or a law or fact concerning the Hawaiian Constitution.

The Supreme Court sits for four terms a year on the first Mondays in the months of January, April, July and October. The Court may however hold special terms at other times, whenever it shall deem it essential to the promotion of justice. Decisions by the Court are decided by majority.