Opinion ID: 2634504
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Statutory Interpretation And Subject Matter Jurisdiction

Text: This court has stated: We review the circuit court's interpretation of a statute de novo. State v. Pacheco, 96 Hawai'i 83, 94, 26 P.3d 572, 583 (2001). Our statutory construction is guided by established rules: When construing a statute, our foremost obligation is to ascertain and give effect to the intention of the legislature, which is to be obtained primarily from the language contained in the statute itself. And we must read statutory language in the context of the entire statute and construe it in a manner consistent with its purpose. .... Id. at 94-95, 26 P.3d at 583-84. Troyer v. Adams, 102 Hawai'i 399, 409, 77 P.3d 83, 93 (2003) (quoting Coon v. City & County of Honolulu, 98 Hawai'i 233, 245, 47 P.3d 348, 360 (2002)). Whether a court possesses subject matter jurisdiction is a question of law reviewable de novo.  In re Doe Children: John, Born on January 27, 1987, & Jane, Born on July 31, 1988, minors, 105 Hawai'i 38, 52, 93 P.3d 1145, 1159 (2004) (citations and internal quotation signals omitted).