(a) For an irrevocable trust, a cotrustee or a qualified beneficiary, or in the case of a charitable trust, the attorney general, may request the court to remove a trustee, or a trustee may be removed by the court on its own initiative. In the case of an irrevocable trust in which the settlor has a retained interest, the settlor, the settlor’s conservator or guardian, or the settlor’s duly authorized agent under a durable power of attorney may also request the court to remove a trustee.

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Terms Used In Hawaii Revised Statutes 554D-706

  • Charitable trust: means a trust, or portion of a trust, created for a charitable purpose described in section -405(a). See Hawaii Revised Statutes 554D-103
  • Conservator: means a person appointed by the court to administer the estate of a minor or adult individual. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 554D-103
  • Court: means the circuit court in this State having jurisdiction over all subject matter relating to trusts. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 554D-103
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Guardian: means a person appointed by the court, a parent, or a spouse to make decisions regarding the support, care, education, health, and welfare of a minor or adult individual. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 554D-103
  • Interests of the beneficiaries: means the beneficial interests provided in the terms of the trust. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 554D-103
  • Irrevocable trust: A trust arrangement that cannot be revoked, rescinded, or repealed by the grantor.
  • Power of attorney: A written instrument which authorizes one person to act as another's agent or attorney. The power of attorney may be for a definite, specific act, or it may be general in nature. The terms of the written power of attorney may specify when it will expire. If not, the power of attorney usually expires when the person granting it dies. Source: OCC
  • Property: means anything that may be the subject of ownership, whether real or personal, legal or equitable, or any interest therein. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 554D-103
  • Revocable trust: A trust agreement that can be canceled, rescinded, revoked, or repealed by the grantor (person who establishes the trust).
  • Settlor: means a person, including a testator, who creates, or contributes property to, a trust. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 554D-103
  • Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
  • Trustee: includes an original, additional, and successor trustee, and a cotrustee. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 554D-103
(b) For a revocable trust, the settlor, the settlor’s conservator or guardian, the settlor’s duly authorized agent under a durable power of attorney, or a cotrustee may request the court to remove a trustee, or a trustee may be removed by the court on its own initiative.
(c) The court may remove a trustee if:

(1) The trustee has committed a serious breach of trust;
(2) Lack of cooperation among cotrustees substantially impairs the administration of the trust;
(3) Because of unfitness, unwillingness, persistent failure of the trustee to administer the trust effectively, or any other reason, the court determines removal of the trustee best serves the interests of the beneficiaries; or
(4) Removal of the trustee best serves the interests of all beneficiaries and:

(A) There has been a substantial change of circumstances or removal is requested by all of the qualified beneficiaries;
(B) Removal is not inconsistent with a material purpose of the trust; and
(C) A suitable cotrustee or successor trustee is available.
(d) Pending a final decision on a request to remove a trustee, or in lieu of or in addition to removing a trustee, the court may order appropriate relief under section -1001(b) as may be necessary to protect the trust property or the interests of the beneficiaries.