Deponte v. Ulupalakua Ranch, Ltd.

OPINION OF THE COURT BY

MIZUHA, J.

Plaintiff-appellee brought suit against defendant-appellant to establish plaintiff’s title to 32.73 acres of land situate at Honuala, County of Maui, and to recover for the reasonable rental value of the land as a result of defendant’s allegedly wrongful and unlawful withholding of the same, for the value of fence which had been removed by defendant, and punitive damages and costs.

The principal defense to the action was that of adverse possession. Both at the conclusion of plaintiff’s case and at the conclusion of the trial, defendant moved for a directed…