Haw. Rev. Stat. § 666 § 666-12
How writ executed.
Operative Text
The officer to whom the writ for delivering possession is directed and delivered shall execute the same according to the tenor thereof. [CC 1859, §944; RL 1925, §2785; RL 1935, §4022; RL 1945, §10411; RL 1955, §240-12; HRS §666-12]
Hawaii Revised Statutes § 666-12 governs how a writ for delivering possession of property is carried out. Under this provision, the officer who receives the writ is required to execute it strictly in accordance with its terms — no more and no less than what the writ directs. This rule ensures that the process of restoring possession to a landlord after a court order is carried out in a consistent and lawful manner.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 666-12, once a court issues a writ for delivering possession, the executing officer — typically a sheriff or process server — is bound to carry it out exactly as the writ specifies. Compliant operators generally ensure that all prior court proceedings and paperwork are in proper order so that the writ accurately reflects the court's directive before it reaches the officer. Understanding that the officer has no discretion to deviate from the writ's terms can help property managers anticipate how and when a lawful restoration of possession will occur.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 666-12 means that the officer executing a writ of possession must follow the writ's instructions precisely and cannot act beyond what the court has authorized. If a tenant believes the writ was issued improperly or that the officer acted outside its scope, that concern may be raised through the court that issued the writ or with a tenant-rights organization familiar with Hawaii eviction procedures. Tenants facing a writ of possession may also wish to consult with a legal aid organization to understand what options exist at that stage of the process.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 23, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
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