Haw. Sup. Ct. R. 2.15

(a) An attorney who has, in any other jurisdiction:

(1) resigned in lieu of discipline;

(2) been disciplined;

(3) been transferred to inactive status; or

(4) been placed on interim suspension due to misconduct, incapacity, incompetence, or disability;

shall notify Disciplinary Counsel promptly of the foreign action. Upon notification of the foreign action, Disciplinary Counsel shall obtain a certified copy of the order and file it with the supreme court.

(b) Upon receipt of a certified copy of an order demonstrating that an attorney admitted to practice in this state has been the subject of a foreign action as set out in (a), the supreme court shall forthwith issue a notice directed to the attorney containing:

(1) a copy of the order from the other jurisdiction; and

(2) an order directing that the attorney inform the supreme court, within 30 days from service of the notice, of any claim by the attorney that an equivalent or substantially equivalent order in this state would be unwarranted and the reasons therefor.

(c) Upon the expiration of 30 days from service of the notice issued pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of this Rule, the supreme court shall enter an order imposing the same or substantially equivalent discipline, or restrictions or conditions upon the attorney’s license to practice law in this jurisdiction, unless Disciplinary Counsel or the attorney demonstrates, or it clearly appears upon the face of the other jurisdiction’s record, that:

(1) the procedure was so lacking in notice or opportunity to be heard as to constitute a deprivation of due process; or

(2) there was such an infirmity of proof establishing the factual basis for the discipline, or restrictions or conditions as to give rise to the clear conviction that the supreme court could not, consistent with its duty, accept as final the other jurisdiction’s conclusion on that subject; or

(3) the reason for the other jurisdiction’s discipline, or restrictions or conditions no longer exist; or

(4) the conduct established warrants substantially different discipline, or restrictions or conditions in this state. Where the supreme court determines that any of said elements exist, the

supreme court shall enter such other order as it deems appropriate.

(d) In all other respects, a final action in another jurisdiction, as set out in subsection (a) of this Rule, shall establish conclusively the factual basis for the same or substantially equivalent discipline, or restrictions or conditions on the attorney’s license to practice law in this state.

(Amended July 29, 1981, effective July 29, 1981; renumbered September 1984; amended August 17, 1993, effective August 17, 1993; further amended November 29, 2005, effective January 1, 2006; further amended November 23, 2007, effective January 1, 2008; further amended April 15, 2026, effective July 1, 2026.)