Wakayama v. Wakayama

OPINION OF THE COURT BY

BURNS, C.J.

In this divorce case the issue is whether the lower court manifestly abused its wide discretion when it awarded to plaintiff-appellee Glenn I. Wakayama (Husband) the residence jointly owned by him and defendant-appellant Jane M. Wakayama (Wife). We answer yes and reverse and remand for a new trial solely to decide the disposition of the residence.

The parties were married on August 17, 1971. Soon thereafter they purchased a vacant lot at 2922 Iolani Street, Pukalani, Maui, for $31,000. An unchallenged finding of fact states that the down payment was $12,000,…