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Exam Review

Key Facts: HI Bar Exam

132/200

Minimum Passing Score (Scaled)

Hawaii Supreme Court (from February 2025)

2 days

Exam Duration

Hawaii Board of Bar Examiners

15 MC

Hawaii Legal Ethics Questions

Hawaii Board of Bar Examiners

~55–70%

First-Time Pass Rate

Hawaii Board of Bar Examiners reports

$500

Exam Fee

NCBE jurisdiction chart (plus character and fitness fee)

100+

Practice Questions Here

OpenExamPrep question bank

The Hawaii Bar Exam requires a scaled passing score of 132 on a 200-point scale (since February 2025). Day 1: 6 MEE essays (30 minutes each) + 15 Hawaii Legal Ethics multiple-choice questions + 2 MPTs (90 minutes each). Day 2: 200 MBE multiple-choice questions in two 3-hour sessions. Hawaii's unique feature is the 15 Hawaii Legal Ethics MC questions testing the Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct (HRPC). Apart from the ethics component, the essays and MBE test general law rather than Hawaii law. Hawaii plans to move to the NextGen bar exam in July 2028.

Sample HI Bar Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the HI Bar exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct (HRPC), an attorney who represents a client in a transaction where the attorney has a personal financial interest must:
A.A. Decline representation in all cases involving a personal financial interest
B.B. Provide the client with a written disclosure of the terms, advise the client to seek independent counsel, and obtain the client's informed consent in writing
C.C. Notify the Hawaii State Bar Association before proceeding
D.D. Proceed without disclosure if the transaction is fair
Explanation: Under HRPC Rule 1.8(a), when a lawyer enters into a business transaction with a client in which the lawyer has a personal interest, the lawyer must: (1) ensure the terms are fair and reasonable to the client and disclosed in writing; (2) advise the client in writing to seek independent legal counsel; and (3) obtain the client's informed consent, in a writing signed by the client, to the essential terms and the lawyer's role. This is tested on the Hawaii legal ethics component of the bar exam.
2Under Hawaii law, which court has general original jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases?
A.A. Hawaii District Courts
B.B. Hawaii Circuit Courts
C.C. Hawaii Supreme Court
D.D. Hawaii Family Courts
Explanation: Under HRS Section 603-21.5, Hawaii Circuit Courts have general original jurisdiction over civil actions where the amount in controversy exceeds $40,000, all criminal felony cases, and equity matters. Hawaii has four judicial circuits corresponding to its four counties. District courts handle civil cases up to $40,000 and misdemeanors. Family courts handle domestic relations matters. The Hawaii Supreme Court is primarily an appellate court.
3Under Hawaii's Rules of Professional Conduct, what is the scope of a lawyer's duty of confidentiality?
A.A. It covers only information communicated during formal attorney-client meetings
B.B. It covers all information relating to the representation of a client, regardless of the source
C.C. It applies only to information the client has specifically designated as confidential
D.D. It applies only during the representation and terminates when the representation ends
Explanation: Under HRPC Rule 1.6, the duty of confidentiality extends to all information relating to the representation of a client, regardless of the source of the information. This is broader than the attorney-client privilege, which covers only communications between the attorney and client. The duty of confidentiality continues even after the representation has ended. This principle is heavily tested on the 15 Hawaii Legal Ethics MC questions on the bar exam.
4Under Hawaii law, what is the statute of limitations for personal injury claims?
A.A. One year from the date of injury
B.B. Two years from the date of injury
C.C. Three years from the date of injury
D.D. Four years from the date of injury
Explanation: Under HRS Section 657-7, the statute of limitations for personal injury actions in Hawaii is two years from the date the cause of action accrued. Hawaii applies the discovery rule, meaning the statute may be tolled until the plaintiff knew or should have known of the injury and its cause. Medical malpractice has its own two-year limitations period under HRS Section 657-7.3, with a six-year statute of repose.
5Hawaii follows which approach to comparative negligence?
A.A. Pure comparative negligence — plaintiff recovers regardless of fault percentage
B.B. Modified comparative negligence (50% bar)
C.C. Modified comparative negligence (51% bar)
D.D. Contributory negligence — any fault bars recovery
Explanation: Under HRS Section 663-31, Hawaii follows a modified comparative negligence system with a 51% bar. A plaintiff may recover damages reduced by their percentage of fault, but is completely barred from recovery if their negligence is greater than the combined negligence of the defendants (i.e., if the plaintiff is 51% or more at fault). This is sometimes called the 'not greater than' rule.
6Under Hawaii property law, which of the following correctly describes Hawaii's unique land tenure system?
A.A. All land in Hawaii is owned in fee simple by the state
B.B. Hawaii has extensive leasehold land systems, and the Hawaii Land Reform Act (HRS Chapter 516) was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court allowing condemnation of fee simple interests from large landowners to lessees
C.C. All land in Hawaii is communally owned by Native Hawaiian trusts
D.D. Hawaii follows the same land ownership system as all other states
Explanation: Hawaii has a unique land tenure history where a small number of large landowners held most of the fee simple land, with many residents holding only leasehold interests. The Hawaii Legislature enacted the Land Reform Act (HRS Chapter 516), which allowed the state to condemn fee simple title from large landowners and transfer it to residential lessees. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld this in Hawaii Housing Authority v. Midkiff, 467 U.S. 229 (1984), finding the Act served a valid public purpose under the Takings Clause.
7Under Hawaii's Rules of Professional Conduct, which of the following constitutes a violation of the duty of competence?
A.A. An attorney who declines a case outside their expertise
B.B. An attorney who accepts a complex tax matter without the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness, or preparation reasonably necessary for the representation
C.C. An attorney who associates with a specialist to handle a complex case
D.D. An attorney who charges a reasonable fee for their services
Explanation: Under HRPC Rule 1.1, a lawyer shall provide competent representation, which requires the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness, and preparation reasonably necessary for the representation. Accepting a matter beyond the lawyer's competence without adequate study, training, or association with a competent attorney violates this rule. Declining a case (A) or associating with a specialist (C) are appropriate responses to competence limitations. This is tested on the Hawaii ethics portion.
8Under Hawaii law, what are the grounds for divorce?
A.A. Only adultery and desertion
B.B. Hawaii recognizes only no-fault grounds: the marriage is irretrievably broken, or the parties have lived apart for two continuous years under a decree of separate maintenance
C.C. Both fault and no-fault grounds are available
D.D. A one-year waiting period is required before filing
Explanation: Under HRS Section 580-41, Hawaii is a pure no-fault divorce state. The only grounds for divorce are: (1) the marriage is irretrievably broken; or (2) the parties have lived separate and apart under a decree of separate maintenance for a period of two years and the decree is still in force. Hawaii eliminated all fault-based grounds. The residency requirement is that either party must have been a resident of Hawaii for at least six months before filing.
9Under Hawaii's evidence rules, the husband-wife privilege:
A.A. Does not exist in Hawaii
B.B. Is recognized under HRE Rule 505, protecting confidential marital communications made during the marriage
C.C. Applies only in criminal cases
D.D. Can be invoked by either spouse to prevent the other from testifying about any topic
Explanation: Under Hawaii Rules of Evidence (HRE) Rule 505, Hawaii recognizes the marital communications privilege, which protects confidential communications made between spouses during the marriage. The privilege belongs to the communicating spouse and survives divorce for communications made during the marriage. HRE Rule 505 is a codification of the common law privilege. Hawaii does not recognize the broader testimonial privilege that exists in some other jurisdictions.
10Under Hawaii criminal law, what is the standard for first-degree murder under HRS Section 707-701?
A.A. Any intentional killing
B.B. An intentional or knowing killing of another person with one or more aggravating circumstances, such as the victim being a law enforcement officer, the killing being for hire, or involving multiple victims
C.C. A killing committed during any felony
D.D. A killing committed with premeditation only
Explanation: Under HRS Section 707-701, first-degree murder in Hawaii requires an intentional or knowing killing with specified aggravating circumstances, including: the victim was a law enforcement officer or emergency worker; the killing was for hire; the defendant was imprisoned; multiple victims; the victim was a witness in a criminal proceeding; or the killing was part of a course of conduct involving multiple killings. Hawaii abolished the death penalty, so first-degree murder carries life imprisonment with or without parole.

About the HI Bar Exam

The Hawaii Bar Examination is a two-day exam combining the MBE, MEE, and MPT with a unique Hawaii-specific component: 15 multiple-choice questions on Hawaii Legal Ethics (Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct). Day 1 features six MEE essay questions, 15 Hawaii Legal Ethics MC questions, and two 90-minute MPTs. Day 2 consists of the 200-question MBE. The 15 ethics MC questions make Hawaii's bar exam unique among U.S. jurisdictions.

Exam sponsor: Hawaii Board of Bar Examiners. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

200 questions

Time Limit

2 days (MEE + Ethics MC + MPTs + MBE)

Passing Score

132 (scaled, 200-point scale)

Exam / Certification Fees

$500 plus character and fitness fee

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: ~55–70%. for first-time takers (varies by administration) This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

50%

Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)

200 multiple-choice questions (175 scored, 25 unscored pretest) in two 3-hour sessions: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, Torts

Part of written 50%

Multistate Essay Examination (MEE)

Six 30-minute essays on general law; from July 2026 the MEE covers Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts

Part of written 50%

Multistate Performance Test (MPT)

Two 90-minute tasks (memo, brief, letter) using a closed file and library; Family Law and Trusts and Estates appear here from July 2026 through February 2028

Part of written 50%

Hawaii Legal Ethics Exam

15 multiple-choice questions in 30 minutes on the Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct: confidentiality, conflicts, candor, trust accounts, imputed disqualification, advertising

Preparing for the HI Bar Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 132 (scaled, 200-point scale)
  • Exam length: 200 questions
  • Time limit: 2 days (MEE + Ethics MC + MPTs + MBE)
  • Exam / certification fees: $500 plus character and fitness fee Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 200 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

HI Bar: Suggested Study Strategy

1The 15 Hawaii Legal Ethics MC questions are free points if you study the HRPC — memorize confidentiality exceptions (HRPC 1.6), conflict rules (HRPC 1.7), business transactions with clients (HRPC 1.8), and the no-contact rule (HRPC 4.2)
2Criminal law on the MBE and MEE is general law, not the Hawaii Penal Code: know common-law crimes, Model Penal Code mental states, and constitutional criminal procedure
3Real property is tested as general law on the MBE (25 scored questions) and the MEE; Hawaii-only doctrines such as kuleana lands and Torrens registration are not exam subjects
4For the MEE essays, use IRAC format with 30-minute time limits. Issue spot aggressively — graders reward identifying issues even with brief analysis. Hawaii uses national MEE subjects, not state-specific essays
5Family Law is no longer an MEE subject from July 2026; through February 2028 it can appear only as an MPT task, where the file and library supply the law
6For the MPTs, read the task memo first to understand the assigned format (memo, brief, letter). Allocate 20 minutes for reading and 70 minutes for writing. The MPT tests lawyering skills, not memorized law

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing score for the Hawaii Bar Exam?

Beginning with the February 2025 exam, the Hawaii Bar Exam pass score is 132 on a 200-point scale. It is a combined score: the MBE counts for 50%, and the written components (MEE, MPT, and the Hawaii Legal Ethics multiple-choice exam) make up the rest.

How is the Hawaii Bar Exam structured?

The Hawaii Bar Exam is a two-day exam. Day 1 consists of: six MEE essay questions (30 minutes each), 15 Hawaii Legal Ethics multiple-choice questions testing the Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct, and two 90-minute MPTs. Day 2 consists of the 200-question MBE in two 3-hour sessions (100 questions each).

What makes the Hawaii Bar Exam unique?

Hawaii adds 15 multiple-choice questions on Hawaii Legal Ethics (the Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct) to the standard MEE/MPT/MBE format. This Hawaii-specific component tests knowledge of the HRPC, which closely follows the ABA Model Rules but includes Hawaii-specific provisions. The essays and MBE test general law, not Hawaii property or family law.

What subjects are tested on the Hawaii Bar Exam?

The MBE tests seven subjects: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts. The MEE can test any of the MEE subjects. The 15 Hawaii Legal Ethics MC questions test the Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct. The MPTs test analytical and writing skills using a closed-universe format.

How does Hawaii's criminal law differ from common law states?

Hawaii adopted the Model Penal Code (MPC), which differs significantly from common law criminal law. Key differences include: MPC mens rea hierarchy (intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, negligently), the ALI/MPC insanity test (substantial capacity), the extreme mental or emotional disturbance (EMED) defense replacing heat of passion, and the choice of evils defense (necessity). Hawaii also imposes a duty to retreat before using deadly force in self-defense.

What study resources should I use for the Hawaii Legal Ethics MC questions?

Study the Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct (HRPC), which are based on the ABA Model Rules but have Hawaii-specific provisions. Focus on the most tested topics: confidentiality (HRPC 1.6), conflicts of interest (HRPC 1.7, 1.8, 1.9), competence (HRPC 1.1), trust accounts (HRPC 1.15), communications with represented/unrepresented persons (HRPC 4.2, 4.3), and advertising/solicitation (HRPC 7.1-7.3). Practice at least 50-100 ethics MC questions.