§21-14 - Contempt. - Hawaii Statutes

     §21-14  Contempt.  (a)  A person shall be in contempt if the person:

     (1)  Fails or refuses to appear in compliance with a subpoena or, having appeared, fails or refuses to testify under oath or affirmation;

     (2)  Fails or refuses to answer any relevant question or fails or refuses to furnish any relevant book, paper, or other document subpoenaed by or on behalf of an investigating committee; or

     (3)  Commits any other act or offense against an investigating committee which, if committed against the legislature or either house thereof, would constitute a contempt.

     (b)  An investigating committee may, by majority vote of all its members, report to the legislature or the house thereof by which it was established, any instance of alleged contempt.  The president or speaker shall certify a statement of such contempt under the president's or speaker's signature as president or speaker, as the case may be, to the attorney general who shall prosecute the offender in any court of the State.  If the legislature is not in session, a statement of the alleged contempt shall be certified by the chairperson or acting chairperson of the committee concerned, under the chairperson's or acting chairperson's signature, to the attorney general who shall prosecute the offender as aforesaid.  An instance of alleged contempt shall be considered as though committed in or against such house or the legislature itself. [L 1969, c 211, pt of §1; gen ch 1993]