Power of Attorney Acceptance and Refusal Rules in Hawaii

At a glance

Requirements one by one

Covered power and response

Chapter 551E excludes health-care powers, specified parental or guardian care delegations, entity voting proxies, government-purpose forms and powers coupled with an interest (§ 551E-2). An acknowledged power is purportedly verified before a notary or another authorized acknowledger (§ 551E-15(a)). Subject to the exceptions in § 551E-16(b), a person must accept the presented power or request permitted material no later than seven business days after presentation (§ 551E-16(a)(1)).

Supporting requests and later response

The recipient may ask for an agent’s certification under penalty of perjury, an English translation when the power contains another language, or a counsel opinion on a legal matter with the request reason in a writing or other record (§ 551E-15(d)). A translation or opinion is at the principal’s expense unless requested more than seven business days after presentation (§ 551E-15(e)). Acceptance generally follows within five business days after the material arrives, subject to the refusal grounds (§ 551E-16(a)(2), (b)).

Refusal and remedy

Exceptions cover transactions the person need not make with the principal, federal-law inconsistency, actual knowledge of termination, refused proof, a good-faith concern about validity or authority, and a specified adult-protection report (§ 551E-16(b)). A person refusing in violation of the section is subject to an acceptance order and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs in a proceeding confirming validity or mandating acceptance (§ 551E-16(c)).

What trips people up

A person may not require a different or additional power-of-attorney form for authority the presented instrument already grants (§ 551E-16(a)(3)). Inconsistent other law applicable to financial institutions or entities controls (§ 551E-18).

Common questions

Must a refusal be explained in writing? Section 551E-16 states no general written-rejection notice. A counsel-opinion request does have a narrower rule: the requester must give its reason in a writing or other record (§ 551E-15(d)(3)).

Who bears translation expense? Section 551E-15(e) places it on the principal unless the translation was requested more than seven business days after presentation.

Statutes and sources

Current Hawaii Legislature statutes, accessed October 4, 2026.

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 551E-2. “[§551E-2] Applicability. This chapter shall apply to all powers of attorney except: (1) A power to the extent it is coupled with an interest in the subject of the power, including a power given to or for the benefit of a creditor in connection with a credit transaction; (2) A power to make health care decisions; (3) A power created by a legal parent or legal guardian placing the care of a minor or a disabled adult under another person; (4) A proxy or other delegation to exercise voting rights or management rights with respect to an entity; and (5) A power created on a form prescribed by a government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality for a governmental purpose. [L 2014, c 22, pt of §1]” Official statute (accessed October 4, 2026).

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 551E-15. “[§551E‑15] Acceptance of and reliance upon acknowledged power of attorney. (a) For purposes of this section and section 551E‑16, "acknowledged" means purportedly verified before a notary public or other individual authorized to take acknowledgments. (b) A person that in good faith accepts an acknowledged power of attorney without actual knowledge that the signature is not genuine may rely upon the presumption under section 551E‑3(b) that the signature is genuine. (c) A person that in good faith accepts an acknowledged power of attorney without actual knowledge that the power of attorney is void, invalid, or terminated, that the purported agent's authority is void, invalid, or terminated, or that the agent is exceeding or improperly exercising the agent's authority may rely upon the power of attorney as if the power of attorney were genuine, valid, and still in effect, the agent's authority were genuine, valid, and still in effect, and the agent had not exceeded and had properly exercised the authority. (d) A person that is asked to accept an acknowledged power of attorney may request, and rely upon, without further investigation: (1) An agent's certification under penalty of perjury of any factual matter concerning the principal, agent, or power of attorney; (2) An English translation of the power of attorney if the power of attorney contains, in whole or in part, language other than English; and (3) An opinion of counsel as to any matter of law concerning the power of attorney if the person making the request provides in a writing or other record the reason for the request. (e) An English translation or an opinion of counsel requested under this section shall be provided at the principal's expense unless the request is made more than seven business days after the power of attorney is presented for acceptance. (f) For purposes of this section and section 551E‑16, a person that conducts activities through employees is without actual knowledge of a fact relating to a power of attorney, a principal, or an agent if the employee conducting the transaction involving the power of attorney is without actual knowledge of the fact. [L 2014, c 22, pt of §1]” Official statute (accessed October 4, 2026).

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 551E-16. “[§551E‑16] Liability for refusal to accept acknowledged power of attorney. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b): (1) A person shall either accept an acknowledged power of attorney or request a certification, a translation, or an opinion of counsel under section 551E‑15(d) no later than seven business days after presentation of the power of attorney for acceptance; (2) If a person requests a certification, a translation, or an opinion of counsel under section 551E‑15(d), the person shall accept the power of attorney no later than five business days after receipt of the certification, translation, or opinion of counsel; and (3) A person may not require an additional or different form of power of attorney for authority granted in the power of attorney presented. (b) A person shall not be required to accept an acknowledged power of attorney if: (1) The person is not otherwise required to engage in a transaction with the principal in the same circumstances; (2) Engaging in a transaction with the agent or the principal in the same circumstances would be inconsistent with federal law; (3) The person has actual knowledge of the termination of the agent's authority or of the power of attorney before exercise of the power; (4) A request for a certification, a translation, or an opinion of counsel under section 551E‑15(d) is refused; (5) The person in good faith believes that the power is not valid or that the agent does not have the authority to perform the act requested, whether or not a certification, a translation, or an opinion of counsel under section 551E‑15(d) has been requested or provided; or (6) The person makes, or has actual knowledge that another person has made, a report to the adult protective and community services branch of the department of human services stating a good faith belief that the principal may be subject to physical or financial abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment by the agent or a person acting for or with the agent. (c) A person that refuses to accept an acknowledged power of attorney in violation of this section shall be subject to: (1) A court order mandating acceptance of the power of attorney; and (2) Liability for reasonable attorney's fees and costs incurred in any action or proceeding that confirms the validity of the power of attorney or mandates acceptance of the power of attorney. [L 2014, c 22, pt of §1]” Official statute (accessed October 4, 2026).

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 551E-18. “[§551E‑18] Laws applicable to financial institutions and entities. This chapter shall not supersede any other law applicable to financial institutions or other entities, and the other law shall control if inconsistent with this chapter. [L 2014, c 22, pt of §1]” Official statute (accessed October 4, 2026).