Land and Tax Appeal Courts

Land Court

The Land Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over all applications for the registration of title to land easements or rights in land held and possessed in fee simple within the State, with power to hear and determine all questions arising upon the applications. It also has jurisdiction over other questions brought forth under the Land Court Registration law (chapter 501, Hawai`i Revised Statutes).

The Administrative Judge of the Circuit Court of the First Circuit, subject to the direction of the Chief Justice, assigns all Land Court matters to the appropriate judge or judges of the First Circuit Court.

The Land Court also employs a Registrar to retain custody and control of all papers and documents filed under the Land Court Registration law.

Tax Appeal Court

The Administrative Judge of the First Circuit Court, subject to the direction of the Chief Justice, assigns all Tax Appeal Court matters to the appropriate judge or judges of the First Circuit Court.

The Tax Appeal Court hears appeals regarding real property taxation directly from assessments or from the Boards of Review. It is a court of record and decides all questions of fact and law, including constitutional questions involving real property taxation, without intervention of a jury.