Opinion ID: 4531835
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Costs; Attorneys’ Fees

Text: (1) Costs Other Than Attorneys’ Fees. Except when express provision therefor is made either in a statute or in these rules, costs shall be allowed as of course to the prevailing party unless the court otherwise directs; but costs against the State or a county, or an officer or agency of the State or a county, shall be imposed only to the extent permitted by law... (2) Attorneys’ Fees. (A) Claims for attorneys’ fees and related nontaxable expenses shall be made by motion unless the substantive law governing the action provides for the recovery of such fees as an element of damages to be proved at trial. 12 HRCP Rule 68 provides: At any time more than 10 days before the trial begins, any party may serve upon any adverse party an (continued) 11  FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST’S HAWAIʻI REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER  Chung Partners alleged that after a failed attempt to mediate, it offered to settle for $25,000 pursuant to HRCP Rule 68 on August 6, 2015, with “each party to bear their own fees and costs,” which Plaintiffs rejected. Chung Partners incurred costs of $29,429.69 prior to its Offer of Settlement and $35,546.76 after the offer was rejected. After a hearing, the court granted Chung Partners’ Motion for Costs in the amount of $22,085.22 without stating whether it was granting the motion based on HRCP Rule 54(d) or Rule 68. offer of settlement or an offer to allow judgment to be taken against either party for the money or property or to the effect specified in the offer, with costs then accrued. If within 10 days after the service of the offer the adverse party serves written notice that the offer is accepted, either party may then file the offer and notice of acceptance together with proof of service thereof and thereupon the clerk shall, in accordance with the agreement, enter an order of dismissal or a judgment. An offer not accepted shall be deemed withdrawn and evidence thereof is not admissible except in a proceeding to determine costs. If the judgment finally obtained by the offeree is not more favorable than the offer, the offeree must pay the costs incurred after the making of the offer. The fact that an offer is made but not accepted does not preclude a subsequent offer. When the liability of one party to another has been determined by verdict or order or judgment, but the amount or extent of the liability remains to be determined by further proceedings, either party may make an offer of judgment, which shall have the same effect as an offer made before trial if it is served within a reasonable time not less than 10 days prior to the commencement of hearings to determine the amount or extent of liability. (Emphases added). 12  FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST’S HAWAIʻI REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER