§532-2  To heirs.  Whenever any person dies intestate, his property, both real and personal, of every kind and description, shall descend to and be divided among his heirs, as in this chapter prescribed; provided that upon the death, testate or intestate, of any occupier or lessee of public land, holding under an existing certificate of occupation or an existing nine hundred and ninety-nine year homestead lease, succession to the decedent's interest in such land shall be determined as provided in section 171-99(e). [CC 1859, §1447; RL 1925, §3302; RL 1935, §4810; RL 1945, §12070; RL 1955, §318-2; HRS §532-2; am L 1974, c 71, §1]

Cross References

  Decree of distribution, prima facie proof of descent of title, see §622-43.

  Disposition of community property, see §510-10.

Case Notes

Effect of distribution decree.

  In absence of statute permitting notice by publication, not binding on parties not served.  6 H. 47 (1871); 10 H. 421 (1896); 19 H. 232, 238 (1908); 22 H. 436 (1915).

  As evidence.  30 H. 116 (1927).

Interpretation of word "heirs" as used in wills, deeds, etc.

  "Heirs" distinguished from "by way of dower".  10 H. 687 (1897).

  Dower estate is not an estate by way of descent.  17 H. 525, 527 (1906).

  Class determined at time for distribution.  31 H. 1 (1929); 31 H. 418 (1930); 32 H. 32 (1931), aff'd 61 F.2d 598 (1932); 32 H. 140, 151 (1931).

  No estates tail in Hawaii.  12 H. 375 (1900); 20 H. 372 (1911); 21 H. 699 (1913), aff'd 242 U.S. 612 (1916), 23 H. 537, 539 (1916); 23 H. 747 (1917), aff'd 255 F. 732 (1919), cert. denied, 249 U.S. 616 (1919); 24 H. 298, 303 (1918), mod. 25 H. 561 (1920); 31 H. 1, 3 (1929).

  Word "heirs" construed as word of purchase.  8 H. 392, 402 (1892); 9 H. 88, 91 (1893); 21 H. 74, 78 (1912); 23 H. 685 (1917); 23 H. 747, 752 (1917), aff'd 255 F. 732 (1919), cert. denied, 249 U.S. 616 (1919).

  Word "heirs" not necessary to convey fee.  13 H. 499 (1901); 23 H. 38, 44 (1915), aff'd 242 F. 446 (1917); 24 H. 298, 304 (1918), mod. 25 H. 561 (1920).

  Word "heirs" not necessary to devise fee.  6 H. 694 (1888); 14 H. 142 (1902); 22 H. 233, 240 (1914).

  Includes adopted child.  42 H. 129 (1957); 42 H. 640 (1958).

No distinction between realty and personalty.

  6 H. 8, 14 (1867); 8 H. 392, 404 (1892); 23 H. 685, 691 (1917); 32 H. 140, 144 (1931).  Heirs take as tenants in common.  6 H. 8, 14 (1867); 23 H. 685, 691 (1917).

Pedigree evidence.

  13 H. 523, 525 (1901); 17 H. 577, 583 (1906).  Relationship of declarant must be established by proof independent of declaration.  25 H. 127 (1919); 30 H. 116 (1927); 32 H. 1 (1931).

Presumption against intestacy.

  14 H. 378, 382 (1902); 21 H. 556, 565 (1913); 28 H. 590 (1925), rev'd 26 F.2d 609 (1928); 29 H. 359 (1926); 31 H. 259 (1930).

Property subject to inheritance.

  Lease descends as chattel interest.  3 H. 763 (1877).

  Equitable interest.  22 H. 78 (1914); 23 H. 685 (1917); 25 H. 174 (1919).

  Homesteads.  35 H. 550 (1940).

  Where devisee of residuary estate predeceased testator.  43 H. 304 (1959), aff'd 282 F.2d 431 (1960).