Mechanics Lien Deadlines in Hawaii

In Hawaii, the lien Application and Notice must be filed in circuit court within 45 days after the date of completion, and the lien expires 3 months after the order directing it to attach unless enforcement proceedings begin.

Last checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice.

Deadline to record lien: 45 days after date of completion; Date of completion is tied to publication and filing of a notice of completion, if substantial completion occurred.
Deadline to enforce lien: 3 months after the order directing the lien to attach

Sources

Last checked October 2026

The rules in Hawaii

How long does a contractor have to file a mechanics lien in Hawaii?

Deadline to record lien in Hawaii: 45 days after date of completion. Date of completion is tied to publication and filing of a notice of completion, if substantial completion occurred.

How long do you have to foreclose a mechanics lien in Hawaii?

Deadline to enforce lien in Hawaii: 3 months after the order directing the lien to attach.

Where do the Hawaii mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from Haw. Rev. Stat. 507-43. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

If no valid notice of completion is published and filed within one year after actual completion, the date of completion is treated as one year after actual completion or abandonment.

What this means in practice

Deadlines often differ by role. The period for a general contractor who dealt directly with the owner can be different from the period for a subcontractor or supplier, and residential projects can have their own rules. Check which category fits before relying on a single number.

The event that starts the clock matters as much as the length of the period. Depending on the statute, it can be the last day labor or materials were furnished, completion of the project, or the recording of a notice of completion or commencement by the owner. Keeping dated records of the last work performed helps establish the start date.

Recording a lien is not the end of the process. If the debt is not paid, the claimant generally has to file a lawsuit to foreclose the lien within the enforcement period, or the lien expires. When the debt is paid, the owner will usually want a signed lien release recorded so the title is clear.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.