Terms Used In Hawaii Revised Statutes 572-1.8

  • Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.

When necessary to implement the rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities of spouses under the laws of this State, all gender-specific terminology, such as “husband”, “wife”, “widow”, “widower”, or similar terms, shall be construed in a gender-neutral manner. This interpretation shall apply to all sources of law, including statutes, administrative rules, court decisions, common law, or any other source of law.