Hawaii Court Reporting Requirements & Deposition Admissibility Standards

Hawaii regulates the preparation of transcripts filed in its courts through the Rules Governing Court Reporting in the State of Hawaiʻi adopted by the Hawaii Supreme Court. Under these rules, transcripts submitted in court proceedings must be prepared and certified by a credentialed Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR).

Depositions conducted for use in Hawaii litigation must comply with the Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 28 and Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 30, which require testimony to be taken before an officer authorized to administer oaths and that the record be properly certified.

When a deposition transcript is intended for filing with the court—such as in connection with motion practice, evidentiary proceedings, or trial—the transcript must be prepared and certified by a Hawaii Certified Shorthand Reporter to comply with the judiciary’s court reporting rules governing transcripts submitted to the court.

Hawaii permits remote and audiovisual depositions when conducted in accordance with the Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure. When videotaped depositions are submitted to the court, they must be accompanied by a written transcript prepared and certified by a Hawaii CSR.

For deposition testimony intended for use in Hawaii courts, attorneys should retain a properly credentialed Hawaii Certified Shorthand Reporter to ensure compliance with the judiciary’s transcript certification rules and to preserve admissibility.

Last reviewed for accuracy: April 2026

State-Mandated Credentials

CredentialTo serve as a reporter in Hawaiʻi courts, a reporter must hold the credential:

Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR)
Freelance reporters must also hold the Hawaiʻi CSR certification if their transcripts are intended for court use.

The court-reporting rules state:

transcripts used in Hawaiʻi courts must be prepared and certified by a Hawaiʻi Certified Shorthand Reporter.

Key rule excerpt (paraphrased):

videotaped depositions cannot be filed unless accompanied by a transcript prepared and certified by a Hawaiʻi CSR.
Status✓ Required
Applies ToDepositions and stenographic transcripts intended for use in Hawaii courts
Issuing AuthorityHawaiʻi Supreme Court / Board of Certified Shorthand Reporters

Permitted Reporting Methods

Stenographic, Video, Audio recording methods as permitted by Hawaii law.

Transcript Certification

For admissibility purposes, Hawaii attorneys should ensure:

The transcript is certified by a Hawaii-certified court reporter authorized to administer oaths

Certification language reflects compliance with the Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure

Any errata sheets or witness signature requirements are handled in accordance with HRCP

Exhibits are clearly marked, identified, and referenced in the transcript

Remote Depositions

Remote depositions allowed via audiovisual technology.

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Common Hawaii Admissibility Pitfalls

Failure to properly qualify or identify the deposition officer
Defective or incomplete certification language
Informal oath administration during remote depositions
Poor exhibit control or unclear exhibit references
Assuming video or audio recordings can substitute for a certified transcript without stipulation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is a state certification required for Georgia depositions?
A: Yes. Georgia requires a Certified Court Reporter for official stenographic deposition transcripts.
Q: Does remote testimony change credential requirements?
A: No. State certification requirements apply equally to remote and in-person depositions.
Q: Can a videographer replace a stenographic transcript?
A: No. Video may supplement the record, but it does not replace a certified stenographic transcript prepared by a state-certified court reporter.

Authoritative Sources

Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure (Depositions & Discovery)
Hawaii Rules of Evidence
Hawaii Supreme Court Rules & Administrative Orders

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