In Hawaii, investors have rights and protections under numerous laws and regulations.
The Hawaii Uniform Securities Act (HUSA) is a state law that regulates the offer and sale of securities in Hawaii. The HUSA is modeled after the Uniform Securities Act (USA), which is a model law adopted by many states.
The HUSA requires that all securities offered or sold in Hawaii be registered with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), unless an exemption applies. The exemptions are designed to allow for the sale of securities without registration in certain limited circumstances, such as when the securities are offered to a small number of investors or when they are offered through an established securities exchange.
The HUSA also prohibits certain fraudulent and deceptive practices in connection with the sale of securities. These prohibited practices include making false or misleading statements about a security, omitting material information about a security, and engaging in manipulative or deceptive trading practices.
The DCCA and private attorynes are responsible for enforcing the HUSA. The DCCA has the authority to investigate violations of the Act, to bring civil and criminal actions against violators, and to revoke the registration of securities professionals.
Here are some of the key provisions of the HUSA:
Securities must be registered with the DCCA before they can be offered or sold in Hawaii.
There are a number of exemptions from registration, such as for securities offered to a small number of investors or through an established securities exchange.
Fraudulent and deceptive practices in connection with the sale of securities are prohibited.
If you are considering investing in a security, you should consult with an attorney to make sure that you understand your rights and obligations under the HUSA.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: https://cca.hawaii.gov/sec/hrs/hrs485a_link/
In addition to the Hawaii Uniform Securities Act, the following federal laws apply to investors:
Contract our law firm to discuss your rights and options for recovering investment losses.