Hawaii

Cory v. White in Hawaii Law

How Cory v. White applies in Hawaii: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Civil Procedure.

State Approach

Hawaii courts generally adopt a similar stance to federal courts regarding dismissal and the requirements of factual allegations in a complaint. However, Hawaii's procedural rules may place additional emphasis on liberality in allowing amendments.

State Rule
In Hawaii, a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim will be granted only if it is clear that no set of facts, if proven, would entitle the plaintiff to relief, aligning with the standard established in Cory v. White.
Significant State Cases

Klein v. E.L. Smith, Inc.

The court emphasized the need for a plausible showing of entitlement to relief, aligning closely with the principles set out in Cory v. White.

Harding v. McCoy

The court ruled that a complaint should not be dismissed unless it is impossible for the plaintiff to prove any set of facts in support of the claim.

Miyamoto v. United States

This case reiterated the importance of considering the plaintiff's factual allegations in a light most favorable to them before dismissing claims.

Comparison to Federal Law

Hawaii's approach aligns closely with federal standards set by Twombly and Iqbal in requiring plausible, non-conclusory allegations. However, Hawaii courts may grant more leniency regarding amendments to pleadings compared to federal courts.

Bar Exam Note

Cory v. White principles regarding the sufficiency of pleadings may appear in the Civil Procedure section of the Hawaii bar exam, especially concerning motions to dismiss.

Practice Pointers
  • Ensure factual allegations in complaints are robust and plausible to avoid dismissal.
  • Familiarize yourself with Hawaii’s rules on amending pleadings to maximize opportunities for bringing claims.
  • When drafting motions, be prepared to argue why the allegations meet the necessary threshold of plausibility.

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