Hawaii law gives prosecutors nine years to bring bribery cases

The law gives prosecutors up to nine years to start a bribery case. Bribery includes offering or giving a benefit to influence a public servant’s official action, or a public servant asking for or accepting a benefit to influence their own official action. It also covers people elected, appointed, or chosen to become public servants who have not yet taken office. The nine-year period runs from the date of the offense. The law took effect upon approval on July 10, 2026.

A person convicted of bribery under this section cannot receive a deferred guilty or no-contest plea. It applies to anyone convicted of bribery under this section. The restriction applies to convictions under the bribery section. The law took effect upon approval on July 10, 2026.