HI BAR Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the HI BAR exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 HI BAR Exam Format at a Glance
📚 HI BAR Topics to Study (21)
✍️ Sample HI BAR Questions & Answers
1. In a diversity action filed in federal court, which of the following issues is a federal judge most likely to decide by applying state law under the Erie doctrine?
The Erie doctrine requires federal courts sitting in diversity to apply state substantive law and federal procedural law. Statutes of limitations are considered substantive for Erie purposes because they can determine the outcome of the case. The other options—time for filing an appeal, discovery limits (number of depositions), and deadlines for motions—are procedural matters governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and federal statutes.
2. A permanent injunction requires the plaintiff to demonstrate:
A permanent injunction requires the plaintiff to succeed on the merits and show that legal remedies are inadequate to remedy the continuing or threatened harm.
3. What type of tenancy is created when two or more people own property together with equal shares and the right of survivorship in Hawaii?
Joint tenancy is a form of co-ownership characterized by the 'four unities' (possession, interest, time, and title) and, crucially, the right of survivorship. This means that upon the death of one joint tenant, their interest automatically passes to the surviving joint tenant(s) without the need for probate.
4. An 'accounting for profits' as an equitable remedy requires the defendant to:
An accounting for profits compels the wrongdoer to disgorge profits gained through wrongful conduct, focusing on stripping ill-gotten gains from the defendant rather than compensating the plaintiff's own losses.
5. In Hawaii, punitive damages are available when the defendant's conduct was:
Hawaii permits punitive damages when the defendant's conduct was willful, wanton, or oppressive, demonstrating a conscious disregard for the plaintiff's rights that goes beyond ordinary negligence.
6. What does the Hawaii State Constitution say about the establishment of religion?
The Hawaii State Constitution includes provisions that mirror the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It explicitly prohibits the government from establishing or endorsing any religion, ensuring religious freedom and maintaining a separation between church and state.