Kawaihae v. Hawaiian Ins. Companies

OPINION OF THE COURT BY

HAYASHI, C.J.

Defendant-appellant Hawaiian Insurance Companies (HIC) appeals from an Order for Payment of Attorney’s Fees and Taxation of Costs in favor of plaintiff-appellee. The jury in the trial below had denied the plaintiff’s claim, as a dependent of the deceased, for no-fault insurance benefits.

The question raised on appeal is whether plaintiff’s claim was fraudulent, frivolous and/or excessive so as to preclude the court from awarding attorney’s fees and costs pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) § 294-30. We affirm the decision of the trial court which…