State v. Wells

OPINION OF THE COURT BY

TANAKA, J.

This is an appeal from a conviction in a jury-waived trial for physical abuse of a family or household member in violation of Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) § 709-906(1) (1985).1 Defendant *511Totoa P. Wells (Defendant) contends, inter alia, that the family court erred in refusing to make special findings upon his request, as required by Hawaii Rules of Penal Procedure (HRPP) Rule 23(c). We agree, vacate the judgment of conviction, and remand the case for further proceedings.

I

At the bench trial held on August 30, 1988, Sekara Taufoa (Taufoa) testified that she and…